Chapter 10 　　

Ye Tongma looked at the bare flagpoles and was stunned. The long-range attack troops of the Song Army obviously noticed the results of the watchtower vehicles. Whether it was a trebuchet or a bed crossbow, they all had seats, and they immediately began to move their positions in an orderly manner.Fortification artillery that cannot be effectively commanded by the flag can only be designed randomly based on experience.The number of defensive cannons is small, but when attacking the enemy can only rely on feeling, its effect will be greatly reduced immediately. The sky over Xiping Mansion once again became the Song Army's world.

Pick a hundred good shooters and kill those watchtowers!Ye Tongma's eyes seemed to spew out fire. Ma Tongshou was getting closer and closer to the top of the city, but miraculously, he was not injured at all.But Ma Tongshou has no time to lament his good luck, because there are too many robes who get along day and night, and they can only meet again at the Martyrs' Shrine.He is just not reconciled, no matter what, even if he wants to die, he has to climb to the top of the wall and die! Suddenly, he heard deafening cheers behind him.He subconsciously glanced at the two sides, and immediately, his blood boiled, Mr. Pan has already reached the top of the wall!

During this slight pause, he heard cheers from above as a sharp soldier climbed up the tower.But in just an instant, the body of the sharp soldier fell from the top of the city, with several transparent gun holes on his body. Immediately afterwards, two more Pao Ze were killed at the moment they climbed to the top of the city. Ma Tongshou stopped. He reached out and touched his waist, took out a Thunderbolt bomb, bit off a piece of the fuse, and said to the people under him: "Light it up!" The man was stunned for a moment, and immediately reacted, he quickly took out the flint and lit the fuse.

Ma Tongshou grabbed Thunderbolt and threw a bomb, and threw it towards the city.While shouting: Get down! The two Song soldiers who jumped onto the top of the wall subconsciously rolled down to the top of the wall. Before the Xia soldiers who defended the city understood what happened, they heard a bang, and several people were blown to pieces. Come on!Ma Tongshou shouted loudly.Without waiting for his order, the Song army in front had already seized this opportunity and climbed to the top of the wall one after another.Ma Tongshou followed and jumped over the female wall, and just as he drew out his saber, he saw nearly a hundred Xixia soldiers surrounding him from both sides.He subconsciously touched his waist, only to find that another Thunderbolt bomb had been lost at some point.When he looked at the soldiers around him, they turned out to be warriors and warriors who were not equipped with thunderbolt bombs.

Ma Tongshou secretly yelled bad luck, held up his shield, and rushed towards the Xixia people with a roar.The soldiers who had already gone to the city consciously divided into two teams and went towards Xia Jun respectively. In any case, keep this hole. Ma Tongshou has no interest in bravery, he just knows that in the current situation, if he doesn't guard this opening, he will undoubtedly die.It is difficult to climb to the top of the city, but it is even more difficult to survive after climbing the city! Several Xia Jun held long guns, shouted syllables that Ma Tongshou could not understand, and rushed towards them.

A Song soldier held up his shield to meet him first, and the shield blocked two long spears, but he was also staggered a few steps by the huge momentum. Note.The Song soldier fell to the ground in pain, and before he could call for help, several spears pierced his chest with several holes. Straight girl thief! The companion died before his eyes, which made the Song soldiers who had just climbed the top of the city completely red-eyed. Ma Tongshou cursed and rushed over with shields, and knocked a Xixia man to the ground. He bent down mercilessly Swinging the knife, cut the man's throat.He was about to get up when he heard the wind in his ears, seeing that he couldn't dodge in time, he was about to close his eyes and wait for death, but he saw a person rushing towards him with a shield, holding an ax for him.The Xixia man with the ax was so powerful that he fell to the ground even with his shield.

Ma Tongshou didn't have time to see who the person who rescued him was, so he swung his knife and slashed at his left hand while the Xixia man had no time to retract his axe.Unexpectedly, the man reacted very quickly, made a sharp turn, and swung his ax to parry Ma Tongshou's saber, which shook Ma Tongshou's tiger's mouth open, and the saber almost flew out of his hand. He gasped.Taking advantage of several comrades coming forward to support the Xixia man, he hurriedly looked at it intently.I saw that Xia man was wearing a brocade robe, with only two left and right braids on his bald head, and a sapphire embedded in the ornament on his forehead.His gaze flicked over the man's waist, and he almost cried out that the head of Master Pan, the commander of their battalion, hung impressively on the man's waist.

This thief is powerful, let's go together, brothers!Ma Tongshou roared loudly, greeted two people, and rushed towards the Xixia man.He didn't know that the Xixia man in front of him was Ye Hai, the eldest son of Ye Tongma, a famous general in the Xixia army.But he knew that Master Pan's martial arts were brave and far superior to his own, and he was by no means a match for the man opposite him.However, fear is fear, and there is no way out, so we have to fight hard.Fortunately, the more they support for a while, the more Song troops will climb up the city. Tian Liewu calmly observed the battle situation at the top of the city.

Song Jun broke through several gaps one after another, but was quickly taken back by the Xixia people.The battle for the top of the city is indeed very fierce.But on the top of the city, no matter what, the Xixia people occupy the numerical advantage.In order to avoid too much accidental injury, the Song Army's long-range firepower has carefully avoided the area where the gap was opened, which made the situation of the Song Army at the head of the city even worse. eyes.By this time, the three or four openings that Song Jun could hold on to were all made by bombing with thunderbolts.But obviously, the soldiers of the Second Xuan Army did not pay enough attention to the thunderbolt bombing, and did not make good use of this weapon.However, Tian Liewu also knows that it is very likely that he does not feel pain in his back when he is standing and talking. With the arrows and stones raining down, and the raging wood and hot oil constantly falling from his head, he has no time to save his life. He has to calmly ignite the fire, calculate the length of the lead wire, and accurately Dropping a bomb is by no means an easy task.Some soldiers left the lead wires too long, and when they threw the Thunderbolt bombs, they became the enemy's weapons instead;Thunderbolt bombing can be used to destroy the defense line of the defenders when the ants are attacking the city. After all, the Song Army has never thought of this tactic before, but it was only in this battle that someone came up with it. .In the past, even Tian Liewu himself believed that thunderbolt bombing was not a weapon used in hand-to-hand combat at all.

But this is not the time for review.The thought in Tian Liewu's mind only flashed by. Support the comrades at the head of the city.Send semaphores to other watchtowers, telling them our target. Tian Liewu fired his bow and arrow while giving the order.He has no right to command other watchtowers, he can only do this.The sharp archers on each watchtower also suffered heavy losses, at least half of them were killed or injured, but this is so, if the friendly army at the top of the city can get the support of archers, each archer is worth ten boarders. Warriors at the head of the city. Ma Tongshou was almost desperate.

Ma Tongshou is completely powerless to fight against a strong player like Yehai.It was a miracle that he could last until this moment.With his real strength, Ma Tongshou didn't think he could go through Sanhe under Yehai's axe.The blood of the soldiers of the Song Army splashed all over Yehai's brocade robe, and more than ten soldiers died under Yehai's axe.Ma Tongshou's saber was chopped off three times, and what he held in his hand turned into a Xixia spear.Although his whole body was trembling, Ma Tongshou still had to take the lead and face the most terrifying enemy. the reason is simple. Although the Xixia people may not be able to distinguish the difference in clothing between the low-ranking military officers of the Song army and ordinary soldiers, otherwise the Xixia people would never allow him to the present, but every Song army knows clearly that he is the highest official here. military attache.If he showed even the slightest bit of fear, the morale at the gate of the city might collapse.In the end, no one made it back alive. Sweat soaked Ma Tongshou's underwear and wet his hair.He had lost his shield a long time ago, and holding the spear tightly with both hands, he and his four comrades fought against that powerful Xixia man.Under their feet, there are corpses everywhere, some from the Song army, and some from the Xixia people, all in disorder bomb!bomb!Ma Tongshou roared hoarsely, even if a bomb was thrown up from the ladder to kill them both, he would be willing.Because he had no idea that he would not be able to survive the next moment.But maybe no one can spare it, maybe others think it's crazy and it's suicide! Therefore, Ma Tongshou did not wait for the Thunderbolt to drop the bomb. The Xixia people on the opposite side swung their tomahawks, and Ma Tongshou's spear was cut off without even hearing the sound.With a sharp wind, the giant ax slashed towards Ma Tongshou. It's over!Ma Tongshou flashed subconsciously, but an idea had already flashed in his mind.Immediately afterwards, a sharp pain came from the right arm.ah!Ma Tongshou and Yehai let out a scream at the same time.Ma Tongshou's right arm was chopped off at the shoulder, and he passed out immediately.But on Yehai's left shoulder, a feathered arrow hit him right in the middle. The injured Yehai roared angrily, and slashed back with an axe, cutting off the shaft of the arrow.He put the battle ax to the top of the city, took the bow and arrow from the soldiers who rushed up, and went outside the city to find the Song army who shot him.However, outside the city, on the watchtower car of the Song Army, there were at least dozens of string-controllers shooting arrows in his direction, and Xia Jun was constantly shot to death. It was impossible for him to find the person who shot him.Yehai drew his bow and set an arrow, and shot and killed two Song army archers one after another, but when he turned around, he saw that the supported Song army became active again. In just a moment, more than a dozen Song soldiers climbed to the top of the city. Song dog that can't be killed!Yehai spat, threw away the bow and arrow, grabbed the battle axe, and rushed towards the Song army again. The city of Lingzhou seemed to have turned into a monster that devoured the lives of soldiers from both Song and Xia. The gap was constantly broken by the Song army, and it was constantly taken back by the Xia army.Sometimes, for the same place, the two sides fought over and over again nearly ten times.The top of the city was full of corpses. The second army of the Song Army and the Xuan Army of the Xia Army were almost wiped out except for the God Arm Bow troops. On the top of the Lingzhou City, they killed two battalion commanders and nearly twenty commanders. Envoy, Deputy Commander.The situation of the Xia army defending the city was not much better. Ye Tongma sent reinforcements to the front and rear of the outer city with five thousand-man troops, but there was still a lack of troops on the top of the city. Because the Song army occupies a crucial long-range attack advantage.Not only did the defense artillery team of Xiping Mansion fail to receive effective command, but what was even worse, two thunderbolts happened to hit two catapults. The catapults used by the Xixia people were pulled by manpower and animal power. .Each trebuchet requires nearly a hundred Han people to operate, equipped with dozens of horses.The two thunderbolts fell, not only caused heavy casualties to the operator, but also disturbed the horses. As a result, the livestock went berserk, the trebuchet fell apart, and hundreds of people were killed or injured.The original small number of defensive artillery teams is even worse. But despite this, the Song army suffered heavy losses outside the city.Especially those sharpshooters on the watchtower car, the casualties reached 60%.For Song Jun, this is a huge loss that is difficult to make up in the short term. Lingzhou City looked precarious, as if it might be breached at any time.However, the result was that the two sides fought until dark, and Zhong Yi sent an additional army to support. Lingzhou City was shaky, but it never fell. Although he was unwilling, after the night came, the Song army would lose the support of the ballista, and it was obviously unwise to continue to attack at this time.What's more, the huge casualties made all the generals of the Song Army feel the pressure. Continuing to attack the city like this will only drain the last drop of blood from both sides. Finally, under the cover of crossbows, the Song army began to withdraw their troops.Xia Jun, who was exhausted, did not dare to provoke Song Jun again, and watched Song Jun's ladder retreat, only a symbolic attack. In fact, compared with the Song army, the Xia army defending the city was under more pressure.An important northwestern town like Lingzhou was breached almost within a day.It's frightening to think about.If it wasn't for the fall of night and the Song army's retreat, even Ye Tongma would not have confidence in how long his side could last. When Zhong Yi returned to the camp, he didn't even bother to take off his armor. He only took off his helmet, then asked his soldiers to make tea, and sent someone to invite Liu Changzuo.The people who went there quickly reported that General Liu would be here soon.As a result, Zhong Yi waited for the tea to be boiled twice, and when he was almost impatient, Liu Changzuo just arrived. As soon as he entered the big tent, Liu Changzuo apologized with a smile and clasped his fists. Please forgive me, the general will go to invite someone in the end. Zhong Yi wondered: Invite someone?Which general is it? Not yet a general, but sooner or later he will be a general.Liu Changzuo said with a smile: "General, you can see that there is a particularly outstanding car in the watchtower today?" But Zijing is talking about the one who burned the flag with a rocket?Zhong Yi immediately remembered and asked with a smile. Exactly. Did you ever invite me? He waited outside the door.Liu Changzuo smiled and said, the general must have heard of this man's name, but he was once a teacher in Shi Shuai's residence.Those who passed the martial arts examination were appointed by the emperor as martial arts scholars, and those who came out of the three armies. Zhong Yi thought for a while, and a name popped up in his mind, and he said in surprise: Tian Liewu?He was indeed a bit unexpected. In his opinion, Tian Liewu's background is usually synonymous with incompetence and successful career. The end will never be expected.Liu Changzuo said, I know the general invited me because he must discuss military plans.I was on the car to visit the building, but Mr. Tian was a sensible person, so I didn't ask for permission, so I invited him first, so that I could consult. Zhong Yi smiled and nodded, please let him pay. Although he said please, but both he and Liu Changzuo are far higher than Tian Liewu, and the law of rank is the most important in the army, so naturally they will not go out to greet them, only a personal soldier will invite Tian Liewu into the account. When Tian Liewu entered the account, seeing Zhongyi, he hurriedly went up to pay homage, and at the end Tian Liewu met General Zhong. Tian Yihui doesn't need to be too polite.Zhong Yi didn't return the courtesy, but asked someone to show Tian Liewu a seat, served tea to the guards, and waved his hands, all the guards in the tent quickly retreated.Before going out, a soldier deliberately rolled up the curtain of the big tent. Both Tian Liewu and Liu Changzuo noticed this detail, and they both knew it was a kind of friendship.In the army, apart from the commander in chief, it is taboo for anyone to gather together to discuss secretly.Zhong Yi rolled up the door curtain, just to prevent people from speaking. Since Zijing invited Tian Yihui here, he knew what was on his mind.Zhong Yi said lightly: "The Second Xuan Army is completely exhausted today. They have fought like this. They have to see with their own eyes the day when the city of Lingzhou is broken. But if they stay in Lingzhou, they can't count on it."Next, it will be my Zhenwu First Army's turn to attack. Zhong Yi took a sip of tea, cupped his hands and said: I don't want to preserve my strength, no matter which army, it is the emperor, the Song Dynasty, and it will serve the emperor no matter what. Lingzhou City has high trenches and deep trenches, and sufficient soldiers and food, so it cannot be besieged for a long time, nor can it dig tunnels to attack the city.Our army is good at fighting quickly, if we don't attack the city with ants, there is no good way.It's just that with today's siege method, the losses are heavy and unbearable.Even if the city of Lingzhou is destroyed, I'm afraid we will have to go back to Shaanxi to rest. When he said it, Hugh said it was Liu Changzuo, and even Tian Liewu felt the same way. Facing a strong city like Lingzhou, it is impossible to think that no one will die.But if the loss is too heavy, the impact on morale and military morale cannot be ignored. Yihui saw the Xia army in Lingzhou fighting fiercely for a day with his own eyes today, what does Yihui think of the Xia army of Ye Tongma?Liu Changzuo asked Tian Liewu first. dare not.Tian Liewu hurriedly bowed his fists to Zhong and Liu as a salute, he didn't know how to say polite words, so he replied directly: From the general's point of view, the Xia army in Lingzhou is strong and tenacious, they are indeed a formidable enemy, and should not be underestimated . Lingzhou City is high and thick, with deep lakes and wide pools. If our army is to defend it, as long as there is enough food, there are 30,000 people, even if there are 100,000 troops coming to the city, we can only look at the city and sigh.Many places of the Xia army were lawless, but for a gap in the city, our army fought repeatedly, but in the end we lost troops and lost generals, unable to get what we wanted, which shows the tenacity of the Xia army.In the artillery battle and crossbow battle between the two armies, our army can gain the upper hand. The difficulty of attacking the city lies in how to defend the gap and secure the city gate after the ants have attached themselves. Can Yihui have a good strategy?Seeing Tian Liewu's point, Zhong Yi's attitude became serious. the same night. It was also a sleepless night in Lingzhou City. Ye Tongma arranged for defense, visited the casualties, and sent people to repair the destroyed fortifications overnight.He had to ask about everything, big and small, and Ye Tongma felt a little relieved.After returning to the government office, he began to sit down and had time to think about the future of Xiping Mansion. The generals of the Song Army marveled at Xia Jun's tenacity, but Ye Boma was even more distressed and couldn't tell. If the Song army can continue to attack like this, Ye Boma has no idea when Xiping Mansion will fall. He, Ye Boma, was guarding a city that could be captured at any time. Daddy! It didn't take long for Ye Boma's silence to be broken. He raised his head, but it was his second son, Ye Yin.The names of his sons all start with the word "Ye", and then add the earthly branch of the year of birth, but they happen to coincide with some compound surnames of Xixia. Ye Yin?What's the matter with you?Ye Tongma has never liked his second son very much.This second son likes Buddhism and Taoism, makes friends with Han people, and has no fatherly style. The son knew that his father was troubled and wanted to give him a gift.Ye Yin was holding a plate in his hand, which was covered with silk cloth. What is it? My father knew it at a glance.Ye Yin sent the plate forward and put it on the table in front of Ye Tongma's seat. Ye Tongma lifted the silk cloth, and with an ah, he couldn't help crying out. Where did you get it?Ye Tongma stood up and stared intently at the things on the plate. Ye Tongma, who had always been calm, still trembled in his voice.In the wooden tray, there was a piece of white cloth full of blood written on it. Ye Tongma was very familiar with the handwriting, it was Xia Zhu Bingchang's own handwriting.The bright red seal at the end of the blood book not only proves that the thing in front of him is not a forgery, but also means that it was written by Bingchang before he was imprisoned. Ye Yin watched Ye Tongma holding up the blood book respectfully with both hands, and sighed slightly.Naturally, he had already read the content of the blood book, which was a memorial written by Bingchang to Emperor Song before he was imprisoned.Bingchang begged Emperor Song to send troops to help him quell the chaos, and expressed his willingness to learn from Jiangnan Qian's family and join the whole country! It was only a few hours before Ye Yin saw this blood book.The shock, astonishment, and indescribable feeling made it difficult for him to calm down until now.Ye Yinya loves Confucianism and admires the cultural relics of the Song Dynasty.He is a staunch leader in carrying out the Daan reform.The Liang family succeeded in the Ji Chou coup, and Bing Chang was imprisoned, and many reformers were killed, but in the hearts of people like Ye Yin, the Liang family was always a traitor who everyone could punish.It is the biggest dream in these people's hearts to help Bingchang restore and continue to carry out Daan reform.The Song army aggressively attacked Xixia in the name of rebelling against officials and thieves. Xixia people like Ye Yin had very complicated feelings in their hearts.On the one hand, they believed that without the military intervention of the Song Dynasty, they would not have been able to overthrow the Liang family and help Bingchang to restore it. Except for the innocent, everyone knows that this time it is easier to invite God than to give it away.They were all vaguely aware of the reality they were unwilling to face: since the Song army had arrived, the disaster of Daxia's subjugation was imminent.In the end is to be loyal to the king, to be loyal to one's own ideals?Or do you want to be loyal to your own ethnic group and the Baishang Kingdom founded by your ancestors?This is a dilemma.If you stand on the side of Song Jun, your conscience is uneasy; but if you want to stand on Liang's side, you will never be reconciled! Of course Ye Yin knew the function of this blood book. If this blood letter is published, all those hesitant people, those who are loyal to Lord Xia, those who sympathize with Daan or those who have reformed the system, will all stand by Song Jun's side in all likelihood. The concept of being loyal to the emperor and serving the master is by no means limited to the people of the Song Dynasty.It is the same for many Xia people, Xia Lord Bingchang is Baishang Kingdom.If Bingchang orders to be attached, then they will be the courtiers of Song Dynasty from now on.They will only transfer their hatred of subjugation to Liang Shi. However, there are exceptions in any population. Ye Yin is an exception. He is absolutely loyal to Bingchang, Da'an reformed the system, and hated the Liang clan, but he also believed that the foundation of the Xia Kingdom was laid down by the ancestors, and Dabaishang Kingdom was the ancestor's Baishang Kingdom, not Bingchang. Baishangguo.These thousands of miles of mountains and rivers, Bingchang wanted to offer it to the Song Dynasty with his own hands, which was reckless.A true loyal minister should be admonished with death. If Bingchang was in power now, he, Ye Yin, would have crashed to death in front of the palace of Xingqing Mansion when he saw this blood book.However, now Bingchang is under confinement by treacherous ministers and rebellious parties! Therefore, all the responsibilities belong to Liang's.The Empress Dowager Liang, Liang Yibu, and Liang Yibu would not have written such memorials without the Liang clan's rebellion. All the troubles began with the Liang clan! It was found on a small military officer who died in battle today.Ye Yin answered Ye Tengma's question. His son checked the details of this person. Before the coup, he was the emperor's bodyguard.It took only three months to be transferred to Xiping Mansion.He was hit by three arrows, and when he died, he clutched his chest tightly. It turned out that he had been hiding the memorial close to his body. Ye Yin shook his head sadly. Do not rest in peace. Then why don't you burn it?Ye Tan returned the mahjong blood book to the tray, turned around, stared at Ye Yin, and asked slowly. Ye Yin lowered his head to avoid Ye Tongma's gaze, but his son didn't dare. dare not?Ye Tongma snorted, and said with a cold face: Do you know this is random fate? !If it spreads out, the army of Xiping Mansion will be unstable Does my father think that my fate in Daxia is on this mere few feet of white cloth?Ye Yin asked back.The Xiping mansion is broken if it is guarded, and it will be broken if it is not guarded. Even if the son doesn't know the art of war, he can see it clearly! How dare you mess with my army?Ye Fanma said angrily with glaring eyes. If the son wants to disturb the morale of the army, this blood book will not be sent to you, father.Ye Yin replied in a deep voice: If the son declares the blood book at the gate of the city to all the troops, does father think that no one will open the door to meet the enemy?When a catastrophe is imminent, does father think that those generals and officials will not be able to see it?How many people are secretly making up their minds, and now they just owe a excuse. As long as I am alive, Xiping Mansion will be as safe as a rock! Ye Yin looked up at Ye Tongma with a helpless wry smile on his face.After a long while, Fang sighed: "Father didn't know that disaster was imminent, and he said that he was as safe as a rock!" Without waiting for Ye Tongma to speak, Ye Yin paused for a while, and continued to say: Father is trapped in Xiping Mansion. On the one hand, the Song army is strong, and Xiping Mansion is in danger;The son heard that Zhong Er was frivolous and easy to kill. The longer his father guarded, the more casualties the Song army would have.Maybe there will be a massacre of the city.Even if the city is not broken by luck, the two countries negotiate peace, and your father killed too many Song troops, wouldn't the people of Song hate you to the bone?I'm afraid that the day when the peace agreement is reached will be the time when the father's head arrives in Chang'an. Even if my father was lucky enough to escape this catastrophe, hundreds of thousands of teachers from the Great Song Dynasty came here. If the Lord cannot be restored, how can the people of Song Dynasty give up?Once the lord was restored, there was benevolence inside, and the strong Song Dynasty was relied on outside, Liang's party members, and the lord ate his flesh alive, and it was difficult to understand the hatred in his heart. Look at this blood book, and you will know the lord's resentment Deep and heavy!At that time, how will father feel safe? What's more, this is already the ending of the above.The Great Song Emperor, I'm afraid he didn't have such good intentions.When the cuteness surpassed that of Xiping Mansion, Shi Yue's proposed conditions for peace were known to all civil and military people in Xiping Mansion.Today they guard the Xiping mansion with their father, and they sacrifice their lives for the Liang family. In the future, when the Lord is restored, how can this generation of villains not secretly cherish the first mouse?Since ancient times, among warriors, there are many philistines, and there are very few loyal men like my father. How can my father expect them to be loyal and fight the enemy to the death?These people are usually against the enemy, and the big tree is about to fall, and I don't know how many people want to open the door to meet the enemy.The only person that the rats are afraid of now is the father.But does father think that you can always suppress this generation so that they don't dare to act rashly? Father's situation today is like facing a torrential flood with a lone boat.At the top, you don't know who you are loyal to, and at the bottom, your subordinates are full of dissatisfaction.Also say that it is as safe as a rock, is it not deceiving yourself? After Ye Yin finished speaking, Ye Tong stood there in a daze for a long time, then sat back in the chair, unable to say a word.Indeed, whether Lingzhou City can be defended or not, Ye Tongma's fate is already doomed.But these are not what he is worried about, what Ye Yin said at the end is what worries him the most.He is a warrior himself, and he understands the essence of a warrior better than anyone else.Everyone can see the situation in Xiping Mansion. At this time, if the generals under his command don't beat the snare drum in their hearts, no one will believe it when they say it.That's why he issued a strict order a few hours ago that all generals who meet privately without reason will be executed.The purpose of this order is to prevent people from colluding in private.Ye Tongma understood the hearts of these people very well. Even if they wanted to surrender in their hearts, no one would dare to do it alone.However, Ye Tongma was not sure how effective an order would be. So what?Ye Tongma shook his head and smiled wryly, then sighed, and said: I have no other choice. If the big event really cannot be done, the son will not come to see his father.Ye Yin lowered his voice, trembling slightly because of being too excited. event?Ye Tongma asked back, a sharp light flashed in his eyes. Does father think that Ren Duohan is really willing to be controlled by Song people?Ye Yin asked in a deep voice. you mean?At this time, Ye Tongma had already looked at his son with admiration. Although he didn't know how much Ye Yin was hiding from him, but just what the sentence implied was enough for Ye Tongma to see the potential to change the situation of the battle. hope. Shi Yue never trusted Ren Duohan.Ye Yin did not answer Ye Tongma directly, but continued, as far as his son knew, although there were heavy troops gathered outside the Xiping Mansion, two Song armies did not show up oh?Even Ye Tongma couldn't accurately know the number of the Song army outside the city at this time.Ye Yin's words made Ye Tongma feel even more confused about his son.How many things are hidden behind his seemingly worthless son that he doesn't know about? These two Song armies are the First Xuanwu Army and the Tielin Army, which are known as the most elite troops of the Song Army.Ye Yin said quietly, the son dares to ask his father, is the attack on Xiping Mansion crucial to the situation of the war? That's natural.Ye Tongma sighed: If the Song army can capture Xiping Mansion, they will be able to take over the situation, and it can be said that they are sure to win. Why did Shi Yue keep the Xuanwu First Army in Yaode and Pule in such an important battle, and put the Tielin Army in Weizhou.Such an elite teacher, why not be the vanguard, but the rear? ! Ye Tongma abruptly raised his head and looked at Ye Yin.Ye Yin's rhetorical question did indeed hit the point, but what surprised Ye Tongma even more was that Ye Yin knew the deployment of the Song Army's forces like the palm of his hand!This is something that even Ye Tongma doesn't know!How did he know where the Xuanwu First Army was?How did he know where the Iron Forest Army was? You mean Shi Yue is guarding against Ren Duohan?Ye Tongma asked coldly. good! If I were Shi Yue, since I would be suspicious of Ren Duohan, why not let him lead his troops to Xiping Mansion to attack the city, and sit back and watch the two tigers fight each other, why bother so much trouble? Ye Yin snorted lightly, and said in a low voice: In fact, at the beginning of the war, although Ren Duohan repeatedly challenged him to fight, Shi Yue never let Ren Duohan fight a single battle.Ren Duohan has a very high prestige in our country, and he covets his intentions. Shi Yue is nothing more than worried that many small tribes will surrender to Renduo, which will inevitably strengthen his strength.If driving him as a vanguard would cause the rise of the Renduo clan, what would be the benefit to the Song Dynasty?He was unwilling to use Ren Duohan at the beginning, but now he is attacking Xiping Mansion, it is clearly a bitter battle, if Ren Duohan is sent out immediately, with such intentions, wouldn't it chill the hearts of all those who surrendered?Besides, Ren Duohan is not stupid, how can he easily submit?With such suspicion from top to bottom, even if the soldiers of the Renduo tribe came outside Xiping Mansion, they would definitely not try their best to attack the city.Given Shi Yue's cunning and hypocrisy, he naturally refused to make such a bad move.However, the situation has changed now Ye Tongma was originally trying to test his son, but Ye Yin's understanding of the relationship between Shi Yue and Ren Duohan in Ye Yin's answer made him even more suspicious.But what kind of person he was, he remained calm and only asked: Has the situation changed?What's changed? Since the Song Army suffered heavy losses in Xiping Mansion, Shi Yue just had an excuse to ask Ren Duohan for reinforcements.And Xiping Mansion is already in danger now, so there is no need for Ren Duohan to come with his troops.As long as Ren Duohan is not allowed to come here, the rest are like Ren Duohan who protects the loyal army and leads the army. Even if they have different intentions, but Ren Duohan people are in Weizhou, and they dare not act rashly.This is a good opportunity to weaken Ren Duohan, how could Shi Yue not take advantage of it? When Ye Yin analyzed the situation, Shi Yue and Ren Duohan's calculations were so penetrating that even Ye Tongma couldn't help admiring them secretly.He knew that Ren Duohan had defected to the people of Song Dynasty, and there were no more than two schemes.If Xixia survived, Ren Duohan's savior had meritorious service, was the strongest, and gained the people of Song Dynasty. Naturally, the power would be transferred to the government from now on. Not only Ren Duohan would transform himself and replace the Liang family as a powerful minister, but Ren Duohan would also become one of the most powerful tribes in Xixia.If Xixia were to perish, the Renduo clan's power would not be weakened, but would instead be strengthened.After the war, many small tribes will inevitably be annexed and devoured by the Renduo tribe.However, the Song army may not be able to station heavy troops in the hometown of Xixia for a long time, and it will inevitably rely on Ren Duohan to rule the place.Relying on the wings of the Song people, Ren Duohan can be regarded as a Dong Zhan, and at worst he can be regarded as the Hedong Zheshi.Careful management, one or two hundred years later, if his descendants have the opportunity, even if they become emperors, it may not be impossible.The rise of Xixia and Khitan also attached themselves to the Central Plains Dynasty at first.However, in Ye Tongma's view, Shi Yue is also a traitor in the world, how would he be willing to make wedding dresses for others?He placed the Xuanwu First Army on Lingzhou Road to block Ren Duohan's route to foreign aid; placing the Tielin Army in Weizhou was like putting a sharp knife under Ren Duohan's threat. To force Ren Duohan to submit, when necessary, he can only be slaughtered by him.However, despite this, Ren Duohan is a treacherous and cunning man, but Ye Tongma also believes that he will never sit back and watch his power be weakened and do nothing. Ye Tongma's eyes shifted to Ye Yin again. Surely Ren Duohan would not let others bully him, and Shi Yue certainly did not expect that he had arranged a good move in Xiping Mansion in advance.Ye Tongma's tone was as compelling as frost. Ren Duohan?Ye Yin laughed dumbfounded, bowed his head and said: Although the son is not good enough, a mere Ren Duohan is not enough for his son to work for him.Although his demeanor is still respectful, there is a sense of pride in his bones. Ye Tongma was still suspicious.He really knew too little about his son.But judging from what Ye Yin said, he couldn't help but suspect that Ye Yin was bought by Ren Duohan.Suspicion arose in his heart, even though Ye Yin denied it, how could he be credulous?But he felt that it was useless to ask more questions, so he just reprimanded sharply: If you are really so worthless, don't blame me for not recognizing you as a son.Although the words were harsh, the expression on his face and tone had softened a lot. Ye Yin smiled lightly, with an indescribable bitterness in his expression, it doesn't matter who the son is, it doesn't matter whether the son is dead or alive.The state affairs are like this, what matters is the future of the Great Xia Kingdom and the fate of the Lord!Now the future of the Great Xia Kingdom is completely in the hands of his father! After finishing speaking, Ye Yin stared at Ye Panma for a long time, knelt down slowly, and said in a deep voice word by word: The son has something to say, and he risked his death to present it to his father.If the father sees and believes in the words, it is a blessing for Daxia and the Lord; if not, please ask the father to behead his son to inspire the army. Ye Tongma glanced at him out of the corner of his eye, and uttered two words: Say it. Since the founding of our Xia Kingdom, we have experienced many crises, but the situation is not as bad as it is today.A strong enemy is pressing day by day, and there is a fear of national subjugation, while the Lord is trapped by power ministers and treacherous parties, and the princes have their own selfish intentions.Although Liang Yibu was a treacherous minister, Ren Duohan's scheming was also unpredictable.Li Qing is dead, and the only one left is Yuzang Huama. Although he is loyal to the lord, he suffers from being alone and lacking in talent, so he cannot support himself alone.From my son's point of view, his fall to the Song Dynasty is just around the corner.With the state affairs at this point, the gains and losses of the Xiping Mansion are really insignificant.If you can't keep Xiping Mansion, Great Xia will of course perish; even if you can keep Xiping Mansion, left and right will be dead.These thousands of miles of land and hundreds of years of foundation are nothing more than the difference between whether they belong to the Zhao family, the Liang family, or the Ren family.When Ye Yin said every word, he was heartbroken and resentful.What's more, with today's battle situation, the Xiping mansion can't hold it.For Xia Guo, for the family, for the master, and for the father, you have to make plans early!The son has a foolish plan, why not use this blood book, in the name of Fengzhao, to follow Jiang Wei's plan to descend to Jin Dynasty.Father can make an appointment with the Song army, as long as the Song people promise not to abolish the lord and preserve father's military power, they will sacrifice the city and surrender.The Song army suffered heavy losses under the strong city. Seeing that his father was willing to surrender, the soldiers were not tired of deceit, so naturally they would not refuse.When they see this blood letter and know that I am poor, they will definitely not doubt it.The generals are not at ease at first, seeing this book and writing it in the name of their father, they can calmly appease them.Father caressing these tens of thousands of soldiers, please act as a vanguard, in the name of welcoming the restoration of the Lord, go north to Xingqing, how dare the states not respond?Liang's collapse can be waited immediately.Then the father only needs to caress his loyal men and wait and see.If the Song Dynasty was trustworthy and kept our country, then my father would control tens of thousands of strings, which would be enough to check and balance benevolence, so as not to make the Lord helpless.若宋朝失信，父親可陽為效順，宋軍絕不能久駐，待宋人撤兵，父親擇機而動，或奉主上過賀蘭山，或另立新君，與宋朝周旋。仁多瀚梟雄，實力未損，豈有不見獵心喜者？如此合縱連橫，鹿死誰手，尚未可知！ 耶寅說完，抬頭望著葉悖麻，靜靜地等待著葉悖麻的答覆。他當然知道他的計畫其實也是有巨大的風險的，很可能偷雞不成蝕把米，白白獻出靈州城又被宋人給算計了。但在耶寅看來，這依然是最好的選擇。這樣做，是替秉常保存了一支真正信得過的軍隊，為夏國的復興留下了根本。並且，以兵法來說，也是最好的辦法。避開鋒芒正盛的宋軍，暫時表示投順，等待其虛弱的時候再動手，總好過拿著有限的部隊，與宋軍進行無意義的消耗。在靈州城拼掉再多的宋軍又如何？這對宋朝造成的損害遠遠比不上對西夏造成的損害，畢竟，比消耗，夏國永遠比不過宋朝。除此以外，他的計畫還能保存一直與他暗中有聯繫的仁多瀚的實力。雖然耶寅覺得仁多瀚不可信任，但是仁多瀚畢竟是夏人。既然仁多瀚在暗中設法想要利用耶寅這樣的帝黨，那麼就證明此人還有野心。一個更有實力的仁多瀚，將來一定會更多的牽制宋人。 而且，耶寅還有另外一層不曾說出來的打算。他曾經仔細讀過石學七書當中的《地理初步》，對於地理的概念，耶寅所瞭解的，是其餘的普通西夏人所無法想像的。在西夏，即便是葉悖麻這樣的名將，即便是對於所謂西域地區的瞭解，都是模模糊糊，一知半解的。但耶寅卻知道，只要能夠保存下來一些力量，如果能夠統一西域地區，以西域為基地，不僅僅完全可以中興大夏，實現他的政治理想，而且還有機會來恢復故土。所以，在耶寅的心中，當党項人可笑的固守著興慶府、西平府這所謂的塞上江南之時，實際上是已經徹底喪失了先祖的開拓精神。儘管耶寅篤信漢學，但是他身上依然流淌著党項人的血。他相信一件事︰族人與戰士才是夏國真正的根本，國土雖然珍貴，但只要根本還在，丟掉了，是可以再搶回來的。 不過，這些想法，耶寅不認為說出來會有什麼幫助。如葉悖麻這樣的西夏人，其實對於西域的歷史與現實都所知有限，他們既意識不到西域的價值，也不會有什麼興趣。 西平府府衙內的燈燭明暗不定，映照在葉悖麻黝黑的臉上，顯得更加深沉難測。葉悖麻右手輕輕摩挲著佩刀的刀柄，思忖著耶寅所說的話，也猜測著自己這個兒子真正的身分。 靈州城內城外不同的人都在各自緊張的謀劃著。這座西北的軍事重鎮卻只能無奈地躺在夜色的懷抱中，任由夜晚的秋風，輕輕地撫平著白日戰爭所帶來的創傷。在靈州城頭連夜修補攻守戰具的工匠役夫們，不時地發出一些聲響來；巡夜的士兵打著火把走來走去，無精打采的臉上，看不到一絲希望。 守不住，打不過，不能跑。儘管仗只打了一天，但是這樣的境地，卻讓最勇敢的西夏戰士都感到一種無以名狀的絕望。 守在最前線的人，對於戰爭的勝負其實是最敏感的。現在，這些身經百戰的戰士唯一的希望，便是這個夜晚長一點，再長一點。 然而漫漫長夜，終會天明。 宋軍大營中。种諤鼾聲如雷。 Early the next morning. 种誼、劉昌祚等一干宋軍將領在种諤帥帳之外叉手靜候，一個個面露尷尬。中軍官早已傳下帥令，除非西夏人出城或者有聖旨到達，發生天大的事情，也不能吵他睡覺。眾多將領一大早趕來點卯，此時既不敢違他軍令，又不知种諤何時醒來議事，誰也不敢離帳回營，只得在帳外等候，勉強忍受著种諤那如雷鳴一般的鼾聲。 眾將雖然明知道种諤如此做作，無非是要進一步穩定軍心，顯示宋軍已然勝券在握。但對於一向性情顯得急躁的种諤在這種情況下居然真的睡得著，並且還能睡得如此之香甜，心裡都是十分佩服。說來奇怪，在帳外聽著种諤的鼾聲，儘管一開始覺得做作甚至是不耐煩，但是久而久之，漸漸地連這些將領們，也開始相信种諤對於如何攻取靈州城，一定已經早有計畫。 种諤這一覺，一直睡到日上三竿，才終於起床，召集眾將入帳議事。 行禮參拜之後，种諤環視眾將，半晌，開口說出一句讓所有人都大吃一驚的話︰某知道你們在想什麼。然，靈州城能否攻破，四日之內必見分曉！ 不待眾將說話，种諤已將目光投到种誼身上，种誼！ 下官在。种誼連忙出列。 令你自振武第一軍、威遠軍中，挑選五千精壯敢死之士，三日之後，由你親自統率攻城。 下官遵令。种誼高聲唱喏，領了將令。這是意料之中的事情，主攻的任務，一定要輪到振武第一軍的。 种諤點點頭，不再理會种誼，除种誼五千精銳許每人配一枚霹靂投彈外，諸軍所有震天雷、霹靂投彈、猛火油，全數上繳。自今日起，三日之內，集結所有攻城炮、床弩，用火器、石彈猛攻靈州城。老子不管靈州城面上是怎樣設計，不管葉悖麻有何伎倆，攻城炮先向靈州城拋出所有猛火油，再給老子不停地用震天雷炸他直娘賊的！城牆也好，城內也好，不必區分，一律都炸他娘的！老子不信炸不死，燒不絕那些狗娘養的西賊！ 他罵得興起，拔出劍來，一劍砍在帥案上，獰聲道︰三日之後，老子要靈州城頭，變成焦土！ 种誼與劉昌祚悄悄對視一眼，從對方的眼神中，兩人都看到同一個詞語︰賭徒！ 眾將陸續散去之後，种諤正待出帳，抬頭卻見种誼還站在帳中未去。种諤看了种誼一眼，知他定是有事要私下裡商議，便又坐回帥椅，問道︰壽翁，有何事要說麼？ 若四日不能攻破靈州，太尉欲如何？种誼直視著种諤，開門見山的問道。 Um?种諤疑惑地望著种誼。 如若四日之內，我軍無法攻克靈州，太尉要如何應對？种誼再次問一了遍。 种諤笑了笑，胸有成竹地說道︰四日之內，靈州必破。 為將者廟算，未算勝，先算敗。 那只是壽翁你的為將之道。种諤不以為然的回道，吾家兄弟領兵，各有千秋。然殊途而同歸，只要能打勝仗便可。 太尉當三思而行。我大宋自元昊以來，屢遭敗仗。諸軍要重樹軍威，正要自一場一場的勝仗中積累。若靈州有不測，不僅連累整個戰局，對諸軍士氣之打擊，亦將遠過拱聖軍之敗。朝廷方倚重太尉，太尉不可辜負皇上、朝廷之望。如今靈州一城，直如我軍砧上之魚肉，而太尉何苦急在四日之內要決勝負。 种諤哈哈大笑，伸手指著种誼，笑道︰壽翁擅守，卻不知攻堅城之要。靈州這等堅城，正當一鼓作氣，趁士氣高昂之時，一鼓而下。否則，便只好曠日持久，為圍困消耗之計。大軍壘於堅城之下，攻不能克，戰不能勝，寒冬將至，轉運艱難，士氣必然低落。若到那般田地，才是禍不可測。若換旁人為將，要如何攻克此城，我不得而知。既以我為將，五日之內我若攻它不下，給我五個月亦是枉然。壽翁你用兵，擅長以柔克剛，以持久取勝。卻不知我用兵，卻喜歡孤注一擲，一把定輸贏。 他說罷，不待种誼多說，已然按劍起身，決然道︰壽翁不必多言。三日之後，你若戰死在靈州城頭，我便親自披甲攻城。且看是葉悖麻盾厚，還是吾劍利！ 他話音剛落，靈州城中，便傳來巨大的轟隆之聲。成百上千的震天雷，在靈州城內外接連爆炸，那種驚天動地的巨響，震得种諤的中軍大帳都簌簌作響。 种諤掀開帳簾，快步走出帳外，抬頭向北望去，只見靈州城內外，到處都是火光、硝煙。落在靈州城內外的震天雷，如同連綿不斷的雷聲，響個不停。宋軍開始還只是試探性的判斷著落點、震天雷引線的長度，進行小規模的攻擊。待到熟悉之後，便開始大規模的齊射。行軍參軍們將靈州城牆劃分成數十個區段。投石機與床弩在巢車的指揮下，每次只覆蓋攻擊其中的一兩個區段，數以百計的震天雷在靈州城的一個個區域集中爆炸，每次都能保證至少十幾枚震天雷能落在城面上，對守軍造成最大幅度的殺傷。巨大的爆炸聲也是恐怖的武器，瞬時便能將沒有經驗的守軍震聾。落在城牆上的猛火油被爆炸點然，燃起熊熊大火，秋天本來乾燥，城牆上面木製的攻守戰具一旦被點著，就不可遏制地燃燒起來。靈州城上，亂成一團。 种諤傲然注視著正在黃色曠野上面燃燒的靈州城，嘴角露出一絲自信的笑容。 攻城炮每隔一個時辰停一陣，龍衛軍第一營與第二營輪流佯裝攻城。要讓葉悖麻摸不清我們的意圖，猜不透我會在何時主攻！ 興慶府。 城外三十里，旌旗飄揚，槍戟森嚴。數千夏軍列成整齊的軍陣，簇擁著許多紫衣金帶的文武官員，正在翹首南望。為首一人，正是西夏國相梁乙埋。 宋軍兵臨靈州之後，西夏的這座首府便開始了經常性的戒嚴。即便是在大白天，城門也經常緊閉，只在固定時間段放人出城樵採放牧。城內所有的男子，從十五歲到七十歲，只須入了丁籍，便全部拿起了弓箭，準備與宋軍決一死戰。梁乙埋與梁乙逋父子此時親自掌握著西夏餘下的全部軍事力量，二人就算是在興慶府中出入，隨行也一定會跟隨數以百計的全副武裝的精兵，擺如一副如臨大敵的架勢。梁乙埋父子在某些方面還是頗有自知之明的，他們非常清楚西夏弄成如今之局面，國內不知道有多少人恨不能殺他們而後快。宋軍的每一次勝利，每一步推進，在將西夏推向滅亡的同時，也在動搖著他們的統治基礎。 一個月前，梁乙埋設計誅殺了十多名平素對他不滿的州縣長令，借此震懾那些蠢蠢欲動、手握兵權的部族頭領。 但是，對梁氏家族不滿的暗流，在興慶府不是被壓制住了，而是更加洶湧。 這種情緒，隨著萌多回到興慶府，帶來石越開出的條件後，變得愈來愈難以抑制了。 為了緩和內部日益尖銳的矛盾，也因為靜州馬上就要變成戰爭的前線，梁乙埋終於被迫派人去將被秘密幽禁在靜州的夏主秉常迎接回興慶府，擺出一副要還政於秉常的姿態。 梁乙埋希望緩和的姿態，能夠欺騙一部分人，緩壓一點內部的壓力，將矛盾指向宋朝。但出乎他意料的是，他的讓步反而讓那些夏主秉常的人看到了希望，要求梁乙埋罷相、秉常立即親政與宋朝議和的呼聲越來越大，並且逐漸公開化。 這一天，就是秉常車駕回到興慶府的日子。雖然擔心出事，但梁乙埋還是安排了重要官員與他一道出城相迎。無論如何，梁乙埋都知道他現在已經沒有多少資本去刺激那些忠於秉常的人了。 秉常絕料不到他這麼快就有機會重新回到興慶府，更料不到當他再次回到興慶府之時，他的國家已經面臨著亡國的危險。儘管他曾經親筆寫下給宋帝的奏摺，表示願意舉國內附，但是一旦冷靜下來，卻沒有人能甘心面對這樣的結局。 被幽禁於靜州之時，梁乙埋杜絕了他與一切文武官員的來往，只是特意挑選了一些高僧陪伴秉常，給他講經說禪，陪他打發時光。西夏貴族階層有篤信佛教的傳統，秉常本來也是信佛的。很快，秉常便與這些高僧們建立了密切的關係。其中，尤其得到秉常信任的，是承天寺的明空大師。雖然秉常也知道明空同時也是梁太后與梁乙埋所信任的高僧，但是在秉常看來，明空的確是有道高僧，並非一般世俗的和尚可以相比。 明空除了陪秉常講經之外，還會和秉常講他求經時的見聞，以及種種聽來的奇聞異事。偶爾，他也會冒著危險向秉常透露一些外間發生的事情這是梁乙埋最忌諱的事情，秉常對於戰局的發展不至於一無所知，全是靠了明空大師的忠心。 而此時，陪伴著秉常從靜州返回興慶府的，也是明空。 望著遠處迎接自己的文武官員，秉常的思緒又回到出發之前。 大師，你說我果真還有機會親政麼？瑟瑟秋風，吹得秉常的披風呼呼作響。 Amitabha.明空雙眉低垂，合什道︰陛下須按捺得住。 按捺得住？ 明空微微額首，便是要耐心。鳥無翼必不能高飛，陛下此時，還有羽翼否？若不能厚培羽翼，親政又如何，不親政又如何？ 那我回去又有何用？ 因為回去就有機會，不回去則一點機會也無。 Chance? 如果能達成和議，陛下恭謹的事奉宋朝，借助宋朝的威望來鎮伏國內。重用仁多瀚，利用仁多瀚與梁國相的矛盾，維持朝中的平衡。陛下再施行善政，留意人材，未必不能做個中興之主。 大師這樣的人材，遁跡空門，實是可惜。 Amitabha.明空的笑容依然是那般和藹，在空門是修行，在官府能行善政，也是修行。貧僧所信奉者，惟慈悲而已。陛下果真能親政，還盼不望今日之語，能以慈悲為政。 I will not forget. 號角與胡笳之聲響起，將秉常的思緒拉了回來。 臣等恭迎陛下回京。皇上萬歲、萬歲、萬萬歲！梁乙埋率領著眾文武大臣，向著秉常三呼萬歲，大禮參拜。 國相與眾卿都平身罷。秉常朗聲回了一句。萬歲？秉常在心裡自嘲著︰不知道這萬歲還能叫上幾天？夏國的帝號本來就沒有被宋遼所承認，眼見著這夏國王的尊號，遲早也要識趣地取消吧？ Thank you, Your Majesty. 秉常中規中矩的被梁乙埋迎接著，返回興慶府，彷彿他不是從被幽禁的靜州回來，而僅僅是出去打了一次獵。 現在是裝聾作啞的時候。 秉常望著興慶府那熟悉的城牆，在心裡暗暗想道。 葉悖麻望著眼前的慘景，臉上肌肉一陣陣的抽搐著，卻說不出一句話來。 這是宋軍用火器猛攻西平府的第二天。 西夏人對猛火油有充分的認識實際上，他們自己也有猛火油這種武器。西夏人也知道只有用沙土才能撲滅猛火油燃起的大火。然而，一天前宋軍向西平府所發射的猛火油的數量，依然讓葉悖麻以及所有西平府的軍民感到震撼。 猛火油並非一種便宜的武器。開採、製造、保管、運輸，幾乎每一個環節，都需要高昂的成本。而且，即便你願意不計代價的付出人力與物力，產量依然非常有限。聽說就算在宋朝，如果海夷帶來這種火器，也能夠賣個好價錢。 葉悖麻非常清楚漢人在工藝方面的優勢。他們精於技術，擅長機械。（注︰這是一個外族人瞭解古代漢族後所能做出的最普通的評價，如西班牙門多薩《中華大帝國史》就有此方面記載。因為這一方面，古代漢人的天賦的確讓所有觀察者印象深刻。）無論是西夏還是契丹，作坊中的工匠大多都是漢人。西夏以前的潑喜軍以及所有與器械有關的軍隊，基本上也是由漢人組成。而大遼在這一方面，也與西夏無異。 宋人在這方面所具有的優勢並不讓人意外。 但宋軍在昨天向西平府傾洩的幾乎點燃了整個西平府的猛火油，還是讓人感覺超出想像。 難道他們將全國所有的猛火油都帶到了西平府！ 彷彿是傾洩著一天前的怒火，西平府到處都在燃燒。 不僅僅是城牆上。 宋軍肆無忌憚地向所有他們的拋石機能夠打得著的地方進行打擊。城牆、官署、馬廄、驛館、民居、寺廟 葉悖麻現在所看到的，便是宋軍這種瘋狂攻擊所造成的後果。 昨天晚上，宋軍突然發動了一輪攻擊，數枚猛火油與震天雷碰巧落到了西夏人的一個草料場。草料場很快燃燒起來，火勢迅速漫延，借著西北深秋晚上常有的大風，點燃起一切它們能燒著的東西，從附近的建築開始，如同一條脫出桎梏的火龍，在城內瘋狂的肆虐。收割著一切生的與死的事物，將它所碰到的東西都變成灰燼。西平府的夜空，一片慘紅。 這是一個噩夢般的夜晚。 儘管頒佈了嚴酷的律令，但這出其不意的大火，仍然讓城內陷入一片混亂當中。 宋軍趁亂連夜攻城，兩軍在餘燼未熄的城牆上再次陷入苦戰。雙方反覆爭奪著一段段城牆，黑夜對夏軍有利，但是城內的混亂讓他們士氣不振，心神不寧。城牆上的組織亂成一團，好在宋軍也好不到哪裡去，黑夜是所有人的障礙。他們同樣也只能在一段段城牆上面各自為戰。 巨大的混亂當中，一個暗中投降宋軍的家族，由家中的男子領著一百多名家丁、奴僕接近了城門，試圖趁著混亂打開城門。幸好耶寅早料到了這一點，當火災一起，他立即率領一百多名心腹趕赴城門，協助守軍，牢牢守住了城門。 幾個時辰之後，火勢終於得到了控制。而宋軍的攻城也再一次被擊退。天明後，宋軍又開始了攻城炮的轟炸。讓人略覺安慰地是，宋軍終於沒有猛火油了。 但靈州城內，卻已慘不忍睹。 昨晚的大火，燒掉數以百計的房子，近兩千軍民葬身火海，還有數萬石糧草與近十萬支箭也在這場火災中被付之一炬。 城內到處都是焦垣殘壁。百姓在軍隊的指揮下，在廢礫中清理著，一具具被燒成焦炭的屍體被抬走，即便是宋軍震天雷爆炸的巨響，也掩蓋不住城中悲涼的號啼之聲。 絕望的情緒徹底籠罩著整個靈州城。 昨晚是哪一家想趁亂打開城門？葉悖麻冷冷地問道。 是賀蘭家。回答葉悖麻的，是默默跟在他身後的耶寅。 葉悖麻霍地轉身，盯著耶寅的眼睛。 耶寅平靜地望著自己的父親，葉悖麻的眼中全是不願相信的震驚。 他也不願意相信。賀蘭家的三兒子賀蘭全是自己的好友，但幾個時辰之前，是他親手一箭射穿了賀蘭全的喉嚨。 是党項人？ 葉悖麻並不像是在問耶寅，而更像是在自言自語。 yes. Why? 耶寅左右環視了一眼，周圍的將校全部心虛的避開他銳利的目光。想學賀蘭家的，這城中只怕不少。功名利祿，誰不想要？ 葉悖麻臉上不停地抽搐著，