Wishful Things

The journey of more than 100,000 Xu family troops to Linyuan did not just go smoothly.

During the period, the tail end had two encounters with the court's pursuers——

They walked all the way, naturally they would not be completely defenseless against what was behind them, they set up traps and ambushes along the way, in order to greet those who came after them.

During this process, the opponent lost a general, who was beheaded by Qin Wu himself, so the army's morale was in turmoil. Then the army was dragged back by the trap set by the Xu family army, so they did not continue to pursue for a while, but chose to settle down temporarily three hundred miles away from the capital. Send people back to Beijing to report and wait for the imperial court to issue orders.

They had only 20,000 troops on this trip, if they said that they chased and suppressed the Xu family's army, it would be tantamount to fantasy——

Zhen Guogong suddenly rebelled, and no one knew what the Xu family's army intended to do next. The so-called pursuit should actually be called defense and deterrence.

The most important thing for them is to defend the capital.

At this moment, the commander in chief was beheaded, and the army was distracted and uneasy. Seeing Xu's army heading north, he was slightly relieved.

Even though he knew that the relief could only be temporary, at least for the time being, Duke Zhen had no intention of being the capital for the time being.

This can be regarded as luck among misfortunes...

Who knows that Lord Zhen has a strong temper, once his temper comes up, he dares to say anything and dare to do anything, if the other party really leads the army to attack the capital at this time, then Daqing will really be completely messed up overnight!

Even so, when the news spread back to the palace, Emperor Qingming was still so angry that he fell ill.

The ministers guarding the outer hall looked at the busy figures of the imperial physicians, and when they were anxious, they couldn't help but feel that "the emperor's useless thing is too slow".

If you want them to say, it is inevitable that they cannot be defeated, and this time is just a test, how could they be so angry... Could it be that before the emperor sent troops, he still thought that he could kill the Duke of Zhen in one fell swoop?

——I'm afraid I'm not thinking about farting!

If Duke Zhen didn't attack the capital immediately, it means that the capital still has room to breathe. If the emperor didn't take advantage of this opportunity to think of countermeasures, weigh the situation, and deploy defenses everywhere, he even closed his eyes and fell ill!

Delaying the discussion and decision-making is one thing, and once the news of the emperor's illness is spread, it is another thing to shake the hearts of the army and the people!

If it weren't for the fact that the prince is too weak in all aspects, they would say that the emperor is not going to save him!

Speaking of this, I can't help but get even more angry, political affairs are not good, and children are not good...

What is the use of the emperor for them!

Being an emperor can't do it, but being a minister can't just let it go——

However, once Xia Tingzhen died, the greatest oppression was lost among the officials, and the forces in the court and China were not on the same page, so there were constant differences and arguments.

The court was in chaos, and the news of Zhen Guogong's rebellion spread day by day.

On the way Xu Jiajun rushed to Linyuan, apart from the pursuers of the imperial court behind, the road ahead was not unimpeded.

When passing through Qicheng, he was blocked.

However, there is only one guard in one city, and there are only more than 6,000 people in total, which is completely vulnerable to Xu's army.

That day, the people in Qicheng were all terrified by this.

However, when Xu's army passed through Qicheng, they didn't stop for a while, neither looted nor intended to occupy the city, nor did they hurt the people, but continued to march forward.

After recovering from their senses, the people of Qicheng, who were shocked at first and then breathed a sigh of relief, gradually became inexplicably regretful...

This is gone?

look no more?

The Xu family's army is not of a different race, and Lord Zhen Guo has always been kind. When he fought the world with the late emperor many years ago, he established a military rule in the army that he must never hurt the people and surrender troops——

Although their Qicheng is not as rich and important as Linyuan next door, but the place is big enough, the people are hardworking and willing to work hard, and the annual grain harvest is just a few days before Daqing.

By the way... Linyuan!

The prefect of Qicheng was shocked, not long after Xu Jiajun left, he immediately sent a letter to his friend Fan Ying, the prefect of Linyuan, reminding him to be careful and take precautions.

Fan Ying received the letter without any hesitation, and immediately began to deploy his defenses.

But in vain.

In just two days, the soldiers and horses guarding outside the city were completely defeated, and Xiang Qing, the commander of the guards, was captured alive.

However, the Xu family army did not continue on their way after breaking through the obstacles as they passed through Qicheng before. Instead, they set up camp outside Linyuan City, and the location they chose was obviously very particular. Not only did they consider the advantages and disadvantages of the terrain, but also whether it was convenient to transport grain and grass, etc. Conditions, I also invited the two gentlemen Yao Fang to show me Feng Shui...

"Facing south, there is water in the south, making money and prospering!"

"It is true that there is water, but there is a bridge on the water, and the head of the bridge goes straight to the gate of the camp. This is a taboo!"

"I can do it!"

"What's the matter with you? This is my general's barracks! Is it your turn to speak, a bald man from outside?"

Commander Xiang Qing of the Linyuan Guard was bound hands and feet and stuffed in the tent. He listened to the two gentlemen arguing outside the tent about where to set the main entrance of the barracks. After listening carefully for a while, it was difficult to tell who spoke more Makes sense.

wrong……

The current posture... Xu Jiajun is going to take root here!

In the next few days, Xu Jiajun stood still, which confirmed his guess.

People in the city were panicked because of this.

Xu Jiajun came for a few days, and the gate of the city was closed for a few days. The army is now outside the city, but they are just surrounding it, and there is no intention of attacking it.

In Linyuan City, the magistrate Fan Ying couldn't sit still for a long time.

But on this day, a group of Xu Jiajun in black armor came outside the city gate, which aroused the vigilance of the guards.

The crossbowmen on the tower are ready to go.

But the leader said loudly: "I am ordered by the general to send a message to the prefect of Fan!"

Qin Wuna's voice was rough and deafening: "This time the situation forces us to use your city! However, Linyuan City has a deep relationship with our general, and the general is not willing to attack easily. If the magistrate Fan is willing to make it easier, The general promises that no grass or tree in the city will be harmed!"

"The three-day period is for Prefect Fan to carefully consider and weigh!"

"After three days, if Prefect Fan still insists on resisting, then he will only be offended!"

The guards on the city tower changed expression upon hearing this.

The news quickly reached Fan Ying's ears, and also spread among the people in the city under the influence of "people with a heart".

In the past two days, various opinions emerged in the city, and even a few elderly people went to the government office to ask for an order from Prefect Fan to open the city gate to welcome Lord Zhen Guo into the city.

Young people may not be deeply impressed by this, but who among the older people would not know what the reason why Linyuan City is so prosperous today is——

It was Hui Shi, the former owner of the late Yuan's firm, and also the protector of Xu's army during the war!

At that time, the world was really in chaos, but Linyuan was an exception because they were protected by the Yuan clan and the Xu family army.

The road under their feet was paved with silver by the Yuan family.

Today's city wall was personally supervised by the eldest son of General Xu and the son-in-law of the former master.

They don't know why General Xu rebelled, but at this time, if they welcome Xu's army into the city, even if they don't talk about repaying favors, even if it's just for self-protection, then Xu's army is worthy of their trust!

It can't be beaten horizontally or vertically!

Xu Jiajun really wanted to attack the city, so why wait three days later!

Under thousands of troops, it is possible to level Linyuan City!

Even if they are affectionate and righteous, what reason do they have to defend the city desperately? Not to mention whether it can be defended or not, just who is this city guarding for? Is it the current imperial court?

When it comes to the imperial court, the first thing that comes to mind is the increasingly heavy distribution of taxes and corvees in recent years...

To put it bluntly, no one has more personal experience and is more qualified to comment on whether the current imperial court is good or not, and whether it is worth it or not.

There was only one day left in the three-day period, and there was an uproar in Linyuan City about this.

The golden crow is falling to the west, and the autumn clouds are all over the sky.

Xu Mingyi walked out of the tent and looked at the vast sky. The mountains and rivers not far away were clear and clear, and the hearts of people who looked at them became more open and clear.

At this time, there was the sound of armor and sword clashing while walking, and Xu Mingyi subconsciously turned his head to look, only to see a young man in soft armor striding forward.

Seeing that it was Wu Chao, she smiled and walked quickly.

"How? How many people are there?" Seeing that he was unscathed, her tone was very casual.

"It's just a thousand people." Wu Chao said, "But they didn't come to seek trouble—"

Didn't you come to seek trouble?

Xu Mingyi was startled, and immediately asked: "Could it be surrender?"

Wu Chao nodded, and said with a smile: "The leader said he had admired the Duke's name for a long time, and when he learned of the Duke's incident, he rushed here without stopping."

Xu Mingyi couldn't help laughing, where did he stop watching?

I thought it was someone who took the opportunity to cause trouble, but unexpectedly came to surrender and asked Wu Chao to make a special trip here.

But peace is better than fighting.

I just don't know how the prefect Fan in Linyuan City will choose.

They were unwilling to attack Linyuan by force. Apart from not intending to cause unnecessary casualties, there was another consideration——

Linyuan City is a prosperous and prosperous place with complete internal order, which is one of the reasons why they chose Linyuan. Since it is to be used as a stronghold, it must be considered in the long run. If possible, they do not want to excessively disrupt the order within it.

Just as he did not choose to storm the capital, but retreated to Linyuan, it was also out of similar considerations.

This reasoning is very simple. If you really want to attack the capital directly, not to mention the strict defense of the capital, the emperor is no longer a man, but he is afraid of death.

Even though the Xu family's army was brave and good at fighting, they could draw a tie in terms of numbers, but this battle was not a one-day battle. As the rebellious side, they were under the imperial city, and the supply of food and grass was the top problem.

Not to mention that the imperial court will certainly not sit still, the capital is in trouble, the deployment of troops in various places cannot be ambiguous, and there are wolves who smell blood from all sides——

At that time, their Xu family army will be no different from being in a cage, with no way to retreat.

They want to win, not to get angry with someone, and they are so stupid that they want to risk their lives to fight to the death, so that others can reap the benefits.

Before the imperial court has time to make a complete response, it is a long-term plan to first occupy the important place of Linyuan and build a defense.

"Don't worry." Wu Chao sensed her thoughts and said, "Fan Ying is probably on pins and needles right now, even if he still refuses to surrender in the end, there are other ways to think about."

Xu Mingyi looked at him, her eyes met for a moment, and she knew it in her heart.

Other ways...

for example……

Well, let's see if we can wait for the news tonight.

Throughout the history of marching and fighting, although there are blood and blood fighting everywhere, she once heard her grandfather say that even when facing the enemy, there is humanity and compassion. The so-called capture of thieves and kings is not only for the chance of winning, but also to reduce the casualties of both sides-in the art of war, the best strategy is to fight without blood.

Xu Mingyi was not the only one who had the same idea.

There is also Fan Ying, the magistrate of Linyuan.

Prefect Fan has not eaten for a whole day, not even a sip of water.

Nowadays, there are many people gathered outside the government office, all to persuade him to give up resistance.

Why doesn't he want to!

Can live, who wants to die?

What's more, what is on his shoulders is not only his own life and death, but also those subordinates who guard the city. Among these subordinates, most of them are young people who were born and raised in Linyuan City. With their parents and relatives...

But... But can he agree? !

Prefect Fan felt bitter, desperately trying to figure out a solution for both sides.

Xu Jiajun waited for three days!

The people waited for three days!

Why didn't he wait for three days?

He was just waiting for Xu Jiajun to send people to sneak into the city to kidnap him!

Why didn't you come?

The dignified Xu Jiajun, why can't he be more proactive!

Prefect Fan expressed his disappointment at not being able to wait for his abductor.

So he decided to create his own opportunities.

"My lord, Yuandong's house has arrived." A yamen servant entered the hall and reported.

"Let someone in."

The middle-aged man who came in wearing a lake blue jacket was the owner of Yuan's firm, Yuan Dezhi.

"Grassmen, please refer to your lord." Yuan Dezhi saluted politely.

Prefect Fan sighed vaguely, and said: "Hidden, there is no need to be polite, just sit down and talk."

Hidden is Yuan Dezhi's name, he has always had his own set of skills in dealing with people, and he has a good relationship with this prefect Fan who has been transferred to Linyuan for only two years.

And since Xu Jiajun came to Linyuan City, he was "invited" to come to the government office as a guest, but this guest stayed for too long, Xu Jiajun came for a few days, and he stayed in the government office for a few days.

In the name of a guest, in fact, everyone can see that this is a disguised house arrest.

"I left you in the government office this time because the situation forced me to do so. My virtuous brother has always been transparent, so he should know the pros and cons..." Prefect Fan said helplessly.

Yuan Dezhi said: "Brother Fan is in this position. I understand the reason for this move."

The Yuan clan and the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion are relatives by marriage, Xu's army came to the city, in order to avoid cooperating with the Yuan clan, they just put him under house arrest as the owner of the Yuan clan, which is already giving him the dignity of the Yuan clan.

"Tomorrow will be three days..." Prefect Fan took the first sip of tea today, but with a posture of drinking, he put the teacup down heavily, and sighed: "There are no outsiders here, so it's too late." Let me tell you the truth with Brother Xian...you know what I am, and I have never cared about these false names! If you can save a city of people and avoid a war, this so-called reputation of loyalty and integrity is nothing. Cherish it!"

"But... if once it is lowered..." Prefect Fan's voice dropped a lot, and tears flickered in his eyes: "My life alone is not important, but the old mother far away in Diyang, and the whole family, You must be implicated by me and be angered by the court..."

Yuan Dezhi nodded with a heavy heart.

Although he had a plan for profit when he contacted the prefect of Fan, he also respected the other party's character.

He has expressed emotion more than once, although His Majesty is in a terrible state, but fortunately there are still these good officials in Daqing, otherwise the situation would not be as good as it is today.

He knew very well that what Fan Zhifu said was not just a joke.

But... what can he do about it?

Goodnight everybody.

(Let’s talk about a little thing haha, today I once again saw that men’s mouths are tough and strong, and human cubs are no exception. I typed today, and Cubs came to me, picked up a small bag of pink unopened things, and said, “Mom , I want to eat this hee hee", Me: "That's the wet tissue brother.", Cub: "I know, I just want to eat the wet tissue!")