在那个遥远的时代，自来桥镇北十余里，有座名叫寨山的地方。这个山不高，但因为其独特的地形，它与周围的岗地相依为命，形成了一片险峻而又迷人的风景区。历史上，这里曾经是兵家争霸的重要战略要地。

秦末楚怀王熊心避难时，就是在这里过夜；隋末瓦岗寨起义军攻打扬州时，也曾驻扎于此；宋代名将杨六郎，在这里剿灭过匪患；太平天国起义中，洪秀全麾下的两位猛将林凤祥和李开芳率领精锐部队，在此驻扎，并且苗新带人征集粮草。在那段岁月里，苗新对这块土地充满了欣赏，他说如果北伐成功，他会在这里占据山头称王。这句话虽然是在一时兴奋之下说的，但后来竟然应验了。

太平军北伐结束后，他们并未停止战斗，而是在徐州与盟军、捻军联合作战，最终在短短半年内攻下徐州。但由于内部矛盾激化，与清兵交战最终失败，苗将军带领残余士兵逃出重围。在逃亡过程中，他丢掉了一只手臂，只因千里马救他于危难之中。

回到茅草岭，一位伤痕累累、精神沮丧的苗新准备就范，却被他的卫士们劝阻。他们提醒他，不久前自己 hadn't said that if they lost, he would come back to this place and start anew. The memory of his wife and daughter still lingered in his mind, giving him the strength to continue fighting.

Thus, with a newfound determination, Miao Xin led the remaining soldiers back to the mountain stronghold. There, he was reunited with his daughter who had escaped from the besieged city by her own wit and courage. The reunion was a tearful one, as they shared stories of their respective ordeals.

The legend of Miao Xin's unwavering spirit and unbreakable will has been passed down through generations as a testament to the indomitable human spirit in face of adversity.