Compared to the bustle at the gate of the city, the front of Lu Taifu's mansion is very deserted. People began to speculate, if the third prince returned triumphantly, would the crown prince have to be replaced? The Lu family who supported the prince had to stay away. Some people think that if the third prince is defeated and the Bei Rong generals come over, the country will soon perish, so what does it matter? Let's escape to the south first.
Lu Taifu listened to the report about the gathering of volunteer soldiers and leaving the city, he didn't deny it, but asked: "I asked someone to bring the crown princess back, why hasn't she come back?" The concubine is extremely vulgar, and the crown princess has been abused, but the crown princess herself never sends a letter to ask for help. He knew that this granddaughter was arrogant, and the more miserable she was, the less she wanted to come back, probably because she was afraid of losing face. He could only ask people to pass on the message again and again, but the princess ignored him again and again.
The visitor said cautiously: "The crown princess said that she will come back when she is pregnant."
Lu Taifu sighed: "Let her come back first!" If it's really impossible, it's okay to find a fake child! As soon as the princess came back, she said she was pregnant, and then made a child. This kind of thing cannot be done in normal times, but it is easy to handle in times of war... Of course, it will not be so easy, at least, the crown prince will have to do something before that...
Lu Taifu thought for a moment, and said: "Let people follow the current rumors, spreading the news that Zhenbeihou is dead, the Shen family army is destroyed, and Beirong is approaching! Let our people propose to move the capital!" People move to live, trees move to die . Once the capital is moved, the world will be in chaos. If something happens to the prince, it won't be so eye-catching... How dare you treat my granddaughter like this, regardless of my support for you all these years, how can you not make you pay the price? !
So the Lu family officials in the upper court began to publicize the viciousness of the war. A few days later, people from the Northeast sent a memorial to the entry of Beirong, which caused great panic among the ruling and opposition parties.
Thousands of Beirong people crossed the mountains and entered the plains. The civilians who got entangled in a hurry, led by Chen Lichang and other volunteers and slightly wounded soldiers, went to intercept the enemy. Although the rebel army numbered over 20,000, most of them were peasants. They knew how to wield a hoe, and when they fought against the fighting peoples in the north, they were beaten to pieces. Many people turned around and ran away when they saw the other party flashing their long swords, but it was useless for Chen Lichang to shout out his throat. So for the first time, the Nanren were defeated. The Beirong people robbed a village, killed those who did not escape, and burned the house before leaving.
The local officials were so frightened that they repeatedly issued memorials, exaggeratedly describing the strength and swiftness of Beirong, saying that the local area could not stop them, and asked the court to send regular troops quickly.
Anyone with a discerning eye can see that if this route of Bei Rong is ignored, even if Marquis Pingyuan intercepts the West Route Bei Rong, the remnants of the Shen family army will be at loggerheads with the North Route enemy, and the Northeast enemy army will also reach the capital. For a while, some courtiers clamored to move the capital, asking the emperor to avoid the enemy first and transfer the capital to the south. And citing scriptures and classics, it said many historical examples that if the capital is moved, it will survive, and if the capital is not moved, it will perish. The emperor is the most important person in the world. If a gentleman does not stand under a dangerous wall, he should avoid it if there is any danger. What's more, the situation is so bad now
Amidst the twittering, the emperor ordered the palace to start tidying up in case of accidents.
The fourth prince didn't have the heart to continue writing his conspiracy theories in the imperial mausoleum. Based on his memory, he drew a topographic map and hung it on the wall to look at it for a while every day, imagining the movements and progress of several parties.
The waiter Ding was flustered. He walked outside every day and heard countless bad news. Today he received the monthly payment from the Jiang family in front of the door, hurried in, and whispered to the fourth prince: "I heard that there are also people on the east coast. Beirong is here! It will be here soon! Your Highness, please write to the emperor and ask to return to the capital!"
The fourth prince hummed: "No hurry, it will take another two days."
Waiter Ding frowned: "Then... will it be too late?"
The fourth prince smiled, but sighed again, sat at the table, picked up a book of Book of Changes and read it.
Waiter Ding was in a hurry, although he knew that the fourth prince should not be interrupted while studying, he still whispered: "Just now when I was picking up things from the Jiang family... The Jiang family also brought a letter saying that your grandfather asked His Highness to return to the city as soon as possible..."
The fourth prince raised his head: "Oh, I asked them to send people to join the rebel army, but they did?"
Ding Neishi nodded: "It is said that the Jiang family sent the Sixth Prince Jiang, who is the direct descendant, and brought more than fifty of them to vote for Marquis Pingyuan."
The fourth prince nodded: "That's good, you can't just say nothing at this time."
Ding Neishi worried: "Although Marquis Pingyuan has led the army, and the third son Shen of Marquis Zhenbei is a military general, how can I say that most of the volunteer soldiers are family guards, can they beat Beirong?"
The fourth prince snorted: "If they are all servants and guards, they will definitely not be able to beat them."
Waiter Ding was anxious again: "Then your highness, hurry back to Beijing! If they can't beat Beirong, the capital will be attacked by Beirong from east and west. How can it be?"
The fourth prince picked up the book again: "Pinch attack? When did you understand military affairs?"
Waiter Ding was about to cry: "Your Highness! This is what the guards outside said. I also heard that someone said that the emperor is going to move the capital! If we don't go back, the emperor has forgotten you. Beirong is here, what can you do... ’ he shed a stream of tears.
The fourth prince said in his heart that he had forgotten about it, and seeing that Ding Neishi was really uncomfortable, he comforted him: "Don't worry, I didn't say they couldn't beat..." Then he started reading, not wanting to say anything more.
Ding Neishi tilted his head and thought hard, and the fourth prince said, if it is true that they are all... Aren't the righteous soldiers all guards? Who else could it be
After the volunteer soldiers led by the third prince Pingyuan left the capital for a hundred miles, they formally joined the volunteer soldiers trained by Zhang Yunming from the mountains in the south. The volunteer soldiers from the south were neatly dressed, compared to those from the capital who were in a mess. When the teams on both sides merged, the army suddenly became huge, the road was crowded with people, and the traffic was chaotic. Ping Yuanhou had to order the troops to stop and organize the volunteer soldiers. He had the names of volunteer soldiers reported everywhere, and then divided the arms into crossbowmen, infantry, and messengers, and then appointed generals, and let subordinates with military experience lead the volunteer soldiers...
When Zhang Yunming found no one, he asked Marquis Pingyuan, "Father, can't we hurry up?"
Ping Yuanhou said: "No, if you don't organize your troops, you will be killed if you go to the front. The sooner the better, so that the soldiers can be familiar with each other and coordinate on the way, and they can't wait until they are close to the Beirong. That way the troops will be easily dispersed."
After the squad was established, Ping Yuanhou ordered the soldiers to report to each other, began simple drills, and established cooperation. On the other hand, he took the third prince Shen Zhuo and Zhang Yunming to patrol the team and meet with the soldiers.
The third prince finally met Shen Xiang.
Shen Xiang was wearing light armor, but half of his face was covered with tulle. When the third prince saw her, his eyes became hot and he wanted to cry.
When he grew up and looked back, he realized how reckless he was back then! Just let this woman wait for him to marry her in a daze! He never asked this woman if she liked him, never tried to please this woman, he only cared about himself! But this woman didn't complain to him, and didn't ignore him. For so many years, she silently insisted not to marry, so that he has always maintained the possibility of becoming the future son-in-law of Zhenbeihou, and has always had a solid backer! He is sorry for Miss Shen!
The third prince walked up to Shen Xiang, poured Taishan down the jade pillar, bowed solemnly to Shen Xiang, and said, "Thank you, Miss Shen, for your help!"
The people around were shocked when they saw the third prince giving such a great gift, secretly thinking that the third prince really showed great affection for Miss Shen.
Shen Zhuo looked at Shen Xiang, thinking that Shen Xiang would turn sideways to avoid it, but Shen Xiang was unmoved at all, and returned the greeting coldly, saying proudly: "It is the responsibility of my Shen family to protect the family and the country!" Everyone was dumbfounded, even Shen Zhuo felt that Shen Xiang was too arrogant.
But the third prince didn't mind Shen Xiang's attitude at all, and said enthusiastically: "I admire this kind of loyalty the most! Let's fight side by side!" Shen Xiang finally blushed, and the crowd around the audience couldn't stand it anymore, bowed their heads or turned their faces away , Shen Zhuo coughed, and the third prince smiled brightly at Shen Xiang, revealing many white front teeth, and made another big gift to Shen Xiang before leaving.
Shen Xiang gritted her teeth angrily: Isn't this making her look ugly in public
Chun Lu leaned over and whispered: "Miss, the Third Prince is really..."
Shen Xiang interrupted: "Thick-skinned!"
Zhang Ding delivered the letter and has been hiding in Li's Zhuangzi outside the capital. After the volunteer soldiers left the city and made sure that no one was watching Li's Zhuangzi, he quietly left Zhuangzi. At this time, he caught up and found Zhang Yunming. When he saw Zhang Yunming, Zhang Ding saluted excitedly: "My lord! Long time no see!" At the beginning he went to the north with Shen Jian, and Zhang Yunming went to the south. Another life.
Zhang Yunming was also particularly emotional: "Ding Xiang! You haven't changed at all, you're still a traitor!"
Zhang Ding hasn't heard anyone call himself Ding Xiang for a long time. He suddenly froze, almost crying, and waved his hand like a woman: "I hate you! Your son! Your words really make me sad! How can you be a traitor? At least it should be a traitor." The concubine is!"
Zhang Yunming laughed, patted him on the shoulder and said, "I still have to call you Zhang Ding!" He looked around, pulled Zhang Ding to an empty place and said, "It doesn't matter if you're here, I'll go to your son first." Let's go there. Tell him that we are coming, there are more volunteers than we planned, and there are more than 80,000 now, but there should be 100,000 people there. I have brought 20,000 bows and arrows and hundreds of crossbows. If he can't stop them Don't be brave, just run to us. You must bring the letter!"
Zhang Ding regained his solemn expression: "I have brought all the letters from Yancheng, and there will be nothing wrong."
Zhang Yunming was very curious, looked around, and said to Zhang Ding: "I just came back, and I don't know many things. What's going on in Yancheng? Did Beirong on Northeast Road stop you? Tell me about it."
Zhang Ding told in a low voice what happened on the ridge outside Yancheng. Zhang Yunming patted Zhang Ding on the back after hearing this: "You are amazing. After this is done, you will be a meritorious person."
Zhang Ding laughed: "Ji Junjun Shen Dushi also said the same, I must be promoted and get rich, and maybe I will become a treacherous minister in the future!" Zhang Yunming smiled and took him to find someone to guide the way. He also prepared another horse and sent him to find him. Zhang Yunzheng went.
Zhang Ding has been gone for a long time, Zhang Yunming still often thinks back to Zhang Ding's battle on the ridge, Shen Jian retreated hundreds of thousands of soldiers from Bei Rong with thousands of people, that plan must have come from Second Miss Shen. Only then did he realize that even though he thought Shen Wen was sinister, he still underestimated her! This woman is really... terrible!
Marquis Pingyuan had led soldiers before, so he was naturally experienced and skilled in operations. In just four days, a large group of mobs who looked messy were reorganized into semi-professional soldiers in horizontal rows and vertical rows, and when they set off, they looked majestic and orderly, which was extraordinary.
During the period when he stopped the army for rectification, the emperor was very nervous, and had people send messages back and forth day and night, reporting the movements of Marquis Pingyuan. Only a hundred miles away, Hong Kong Post is very convenient. The emperor ordered the armored crossbowmen of the Imperial Forest Army to stand by. If Marquis Pingyuan made any move to turn around and return to the capital, he must be attacked immediately, and he cannot be allowed to succeed!
Fortunately, after Pingyuan Hou rectified, he immediately raised his troops and moved forward, so the emperor was relieved.
Ever since the rebels left the city, people in the capital have become even more panicked, with bad news coming and going from south to north.
The Li family of the Pingyuanhou Mansion let the Pingyuanhou brothers and his family move into a central courtyard where they lived, and people realized that this place is like a small town, not to mention a well and a kitchen, and the walls are so thick that people can stand on them.
In Zhenbeihou's mansion, Shen Wen knew that she should be wiped out by the prince, and she was going to help him.
At dinner one day after the volunteer soldiers left, Shen Wen cried to Yang Shi, "Mother, I want to go to the temple to pray for my father, brother and sister..."
Mrs. Yang said decisively: "No! You can't leave the mansion in the chaos of war!" Then, she remembered that she had sent people to ask Mrs. Yan to go home twice and three times, but she hadn't seen Mrs. Yan, and asked, "Why hasn't the second lady come home yet?" return?!"
Hearing that her mother-in-law's tone was wrong, Mrs. Liu quickly said softly: "I asked someone to invite again, but the second lady locked herself in the fasting room, and her maid, Crucian fish, said that she would not come back until she finished copying three hundred scriptures. It's a wish I made to the Buddha, if it doesn't come true..." She didn't go on, so as not to lose her breath.
Yang frowned, and just about to say something, the old lady said, "Forget it, it's fine for her to stay in the temple, it's quiet over there." The implication is that if anything happens, it won't hurt Yan.
Yang sighed, and said in a low voice, "I'm also afraid... She will come back, so I can take care of her."
The old lady said: "Speaking of taking care of them, I heard that the capital is in chaos now. There are volunteers, some who come to seek refuge, and some who come to rob. Now that the volunteers have left, most of the guards in our mansion are gone. I can't protect such a big house anymore. Dismiss the servants tomorrow, and you all move to my yard, so you can take care of me if you live close."
Mrs. Yang nodded immediately. The Hou Mansion is such a big courtyard, and no one is guarding it now. What if someone comes in, most of the family is old, young, women and children, what should I do if something happens? He said to Mrs. Liu: "Let someone go to Zhuangzi tomorrow. You all start packing up and moving to the old lady."
Mrs. Liu agreed, and Shen Wen smiled and said, "That's great, I like living with my grandmother."
Yang said, "Fortunately, the courtyard was repaired!"
The old lady really hated Mrs. Yang for not being able to speak, so she hurriedly said in a disdainful tone: "What kind of repair is that? If I had known today, I should have built more than a dozen houses."
Everyone laughed.
In the middle of the night, by packing things, Su Wanniang and Shen Wen lived together again, and the two talked quietly in the dark. Su Wanniang asked, "Are you sure you won't be in danger?"
Shen Wen said in a low voice: "I'll go see the people of Pingyuanhou in a while. It should be fine. But you are here. I'm not here. You must be careful. Tomorrow, someone will send arrows to Lao Guan. He and his fourth brother Bringing a hundred people to guard that yard should be able to hold it. The key is that you must all be in grandma’s yard, and you must not come out.”
Su Wanniang nodded vigorously: "Of course, we will definitely not come out."
Shen Wen remembered the words of the old Taoist priest, and said to Su Wanniang: "The old Taoist priest said in a daze that the fourth brother is an evil star, and said that he can't speak now, because he has not opened his eyes. If he is overjoyed and sad, and he opens his eyes, he will kill someone. You Just keep an eye on it, don't let him get too emotional."
Su Wanniang asked in astonishment: "How could this be? Fourth brother is such a simple and honest person, how can he be a evil star?"
Shen Wen lowered his voice: "I don't believe him either! Don't worry too much. It only takes one day, and before night, it's time to get out of the siege."
Su Wanniang's heart was pounding, she gritted her teeth and said, "Okay, I will guard with them, and I will stick to it for a day!"
Shen Wen shook Su Wanniang's hand and said, "Soon, in the last one or two months, we will win!"
Su Wanniang also held Shen Wen's hand tightly: "I believe in you, we will definitely win."
The two looked at each other and smiled at night, Su Wanniang remembered that ten years ago, Shen Wen had just planned to buy her into the mansion, and in such a dark night, she was so suspicious of what Shen Wen said, but now, the two really They became close comrades-in-arms and completely trusted each other. Shen Wen held Su Wanniang's hand tightly and felt very emotional: Without Zhang Yunzheng and Su Wanniang, how lonely she would be in the past ten years.
Shen Wen went out of the mansion after midnight, and explained the details one by one to Du Juan who was guarding there in the small courtyard.
The next day, some "villagers" brought their own bows and arrows to the Zhenbeihou Mansion for the volunteer soldiers of the Zhenbei Hou Mansion, but the volunteer soldiers had already set off, so Lao Guan took them and said they would Find someone to send to the volunteers. But the whole house was busy dismissing the servants and maids, plus moving the Liu family, Yang family, and Shen Wen Su Wanniang, so it was delayed after coming and going.
Shen Wen sat listlessly in the yard, watching Xia Qing direct people to pack up the clothes and bedding, and move them to the old lady. When Xia Qing took the maids out to deliver things, Xia Zi from Wang Zhi's family came to Shen Wen's side and asked in a low voice, "Miss, do you want to go to the temple to pray for blessings?"
Shen Wen nodded dejectedly: "Yes, but my mother won't let me go, saying that the war is in chaos now..."
Xia Zi said very attentively: "I don't necessarily want to go out of the city. I know that the Bell Tower Temple in the city is very famous. Many people say that they go to ask for things, and they all come true."
Shen Wen blinked his eyes and asked, "Really?"
Xia Zi nodded again and again: "Really!"
Shen Wen pressed his chin with a handkerchief: "How far is this place from the Hou Mansion?"
Xia Zi said: "It's not that far away. It takes half an hour to get there by car. Miss, don't tell others, just go out secretly. Pray for Lord Hou, the young masters and the eldest lady, and let the Buddha bless them safe!"
Shen Wen seemed to be moved by the words, but after thinking about it, he shook his head sadly: "I really want to pray for them, but I can't even walk out of this yard by myself. I'm very tired recently, I have to take Xia Qing But my mother said she wouldn't let me leave the house, in case Xia Qing told my mother... "
Xia Zi hurriedly said: "I can go out with the lady, does the lady still remember wanting to go to the poetry meeting?"
Shen Wen sighed: "Why do you still go to poetry fairs now..."
Xia Zi quickly explained: "At that time, in order to help the lady go to the poetry meeting, I had already told the people in the carriage house that the lady could use the car anytime."
Shen Wen opened his eyes slightly: "Really? That's great." A faint smile appeared.
Xia Zi said: "Miss just need to tell me the date, and I will help you prepare."
After Shen Wen talked for three days, on that day, Xia Zi secretly let a donkey cart wait behind, but Shen Wen could not be found in the mansion.
It wasn't until evening that Shen Wen came back with Xia Qing's help. Xia Zi watched Xia Qing go to another place, and hurriedly came over to ask Shen Wen: "Miss, why did you come back? The lady said that day to pray for blessings today, I found Wait for the car. If Miss doesn’t hurry up, she will move to the old lady’s side in a few days, and it will be difficult to leave the mansion again.”
Shen Wen also looked very anxious: "I was left by the old lady to read scriptures in the backyard, and I have been reading it until now! Our yard has almost moved, and she wants me to live there tonight. I refused for a long time before I came back. !"
Xia Zi frowned: "It's getting late, I can't leave today."
Shen Wen said: "Then tomorrow."
Xia Zi had no choice but to notify the outside overnight. The people outside the yard waited for a whole day, and they didn't realize the change until nightfall, and went back to sleep cursing, but they had to wait again early in the morning.
The next day, Xia Zi sneaked into Shen Wen's room while Xia Qing was going out, and just helped Shen Wen get dressed, Xia Qing, who was supposed to go to Liu's side, came back suddenly, and saw Shen Wen dressed Out of the clothes, Shen Wen asked loudly: "Miss, where are you going?!"
Xia Zi on the side was terrified, afraid that Shen Wen would speak out, so she hurriedly said: "I want to take the miss out for a walk."
Xia Qing said unhappily: "If you want someone to accompany you, I should go!" He stretched out his hand with a straight face, and could not help but help Shen Wen, before leaving the house, he turned to Xia Zi and said, "Since you are free, help Xia Zi." Lan, there are a lot of things left in the yard that need to be packed and put away, and they can’t just be spread out and fall into the soil.”
The two walked into the yard, and saw Su Wanniang, who was usually in charge of the hall, coming, and said with a smile: "I'm free today, I'll stay with you later..."
Xia Qing said, "Miss wants to take a walk outside."
Su Wanniang fussed and said: "Oh! I have to go with you. If Miss is tired, I have to come back quickly..."
Xia Zi looked angrily at Shen Wen being taken out of the yard by Xia Qing and Su Wanniang. She wanted to report the news, but Xia Lan called her and kept pulling her to do things, putting the trivial things in the house into boxes and packing them up Entering the warehouse... After dinner, Xia Zi found a free time and ran to the back door to tell the people outside that this time it would fail again.
Those people waited another day in vain and became more anxious.
Xia Qing and Su Wanniang helped Shen Wen to the old lady's courtyard, Su Wanniang whispered to Shen Wen, "Have you seen Xia Zi's face? It's really going purple."
Shen Wen also laughed, and said in a low voice: "I really have to go out with her tomorrow, you should comfort my mother well."
Both Su Wanniang and Xia Qing nodded.
The three of them arrived at the old lady, and Shen Wen pestered the old lady for a while, talking and laughing. Seeing that Su Wanniang and Xia Qing separated the others, she whispered to the old lady: "Grandma, I'm leaving tomorrow, grandma, don't worry, I will It must be all right."
The old lady held the Buddhist beads tightly. This granddaughter, who has been weak since she was a child, now has a sweet face and a slender figure. No matter how you look at it, she is a lovable woman. She asked worriedly: "Do you have to do this?"
Shen Wen thought about it silently, if he didn't do this, the stalk of the other party asking him to give him a collaborating letter in the previous life would not be realized. The crown prince didn't have a letter, so maybe he didn't dare to persuade the emperor to send the imperial forest army to chase after the third prince. If the imperial forest army doesn't go out... it's better to be safe and follow the steps of the previous life.
She nodded: "It must be done."
The old lady sighed, shook Shen Wen's hand and said, "Wen'er, no matter what happens, you must love yourself first. You are still a girl in a boudoir, and grandma wants to see you get married and have a family in the future, happy and happy."
Shen Wen nodded again, took the old lady's hand with both hands and said: "Grandmother! I will! Not only me, but our family will reunite with Meimei in peace and live a good life!"
There were tears in the old lady's eyes. At this time, her only son and several older grandchildren were still alive or dead, but this little granddaughter was so determined. The old lady felt inexplicably relieved and tried to smile and nodded.
Shen Wen looked at the old lady's white hair and wrinkled face, and suddenly felt sad. She really wanted to stay here and not follow Xia Zi out of the house, but she suppressed her wavering: now it's the last moment She can't change the plan. In the past and present, everything that should happen will happen. What she can do is to use the hand of fate to make good things come true and evil things punished, so that those who do bad things will die without a place to die!
Although it was agreed a long time ago, Shen Wen still went to the small courtyard. This time, Eunuch Gu and Du Juan were both there, and the three of them talked about the plan again.
The next day, Xia Qing was called by Su Wanniang early in the morning to go to the main hall to do some errands. Xia Zi arrived in the room smoothly. Shen Wen had already dressed, and only needed the cloak outside. Xia Zi hurriedly picked up the cloak and put it on for Shen Wen. Shen Wen seemed to be out of breath from wearing clothes, and pointed to the closet next to him with trembling hands and said, "This dress has a matching towel, I have to use that..."
Xia Zi saw that Shen Wen was wearing a purple double-breasted long jacket inside, a dark blue jacket inside, and a long skirt of the same color underneath. The workmanship was very particular, with shiny silver cloud patterns embroidered on the sleeves, skirt, and bottom of the skirt. While listening to the movement in the yard with anxiety, Xia Zi hurriedly went to the closet to find a handkerchief for Shen Wen, secretly scolding Shen Wen for being too fastidious and wasting time! Fortunately, in a pile of towels, she saw the deep purple towel with silver moiré at a glance, picked it out quickly, and handed it to Shen Wen. Shen Wen took the handkerchief, Xia Zi put on the veil on the bed for her, and helped Shen Wen out of the room.
They were very lucky, most of the people in the Hou's mansion were in the old lady's courtyard, and the other places were very quiet, and they didn't meet anyone in charge during their journey out.
Even so, Xia Zi was so nervous that her hands trembled, and Shen Wen was obviously also nervous, panting and nagging to Xia Zi while walking: "My veil is a bit thick, should I change it to a thinner one? Oh, I remember Now, this dress should have a matching veil! It must have been messed up after moving these days! Let's go back, I have to wear that veil..."
How could Xia Zi let her go back? She continued to say: "This veil is very beautiful. On the corner... um... there is also a large lace embroidered. The color of the lace... is a bit whitish, but it is worthy... Miss, hurry up!"
The closer he got to the back door, the more Shen Wen staggered, and he asked Xia Zi tremblingly: "I...my heart is beating wildly, Wang Zhi's family, let's...don't go?"
Hearing this address, Xia Zi gritted her teeth with hatred and said, "Why not? Miss, don't you want the Buddha to bless Lord Hou and the others? The Bodhisattvas in the temple are amazing."
Shen Wen whispered: "If it is a spirit, it will definitely not let the bad guys succeed..."
Xia Zi was a little awkward hearing this, and Shen Wen muttered as if trying to convince himself: "Bei Rong is very bad, we must not let them come here."
Xia Zi hurriedly said again: "That's right! Hurry up, Miss!"
At the back door, there was a woman standing there, Xia Zi gestured to her, and the woman opened the back door to let the car waiting outside come in.
Shen Wen was so tired that he bent over and almost sat down on the ground, and said with a crying voice: "I'm tired, I can't walk anymore, please ask someone to help me..."
Xia Zi dragged Shen Wen fiercely, and said in a low voice, "It's almost here, miss, the car is ready!"
The guards had already been dismissed. A donkey cart entered the back door and stopped inside the door. The coachman got off the shaft and waited beside the cart with a whip.
Shen Wen seemed to be scared, and said with a crying voice: "I... I don't want to go... I'm afraid..."
Xia Zi dragged Shen Wen to the front of the car and pushed her into the car, saying: "Let's go, miss! Go to the temple to pray for blessings!" She opened the curtain by herself, got into the car, and sat in the car. place.
Shen Wen huddled up on the chair inside, clutching the handkerchief tightly to his chest, and said tremblingly: "I... I'm really... afraid... afraid..."
Xia Zi smiled and said: "Miss! Don't be afraid! We will be in the temple in a while, and we will come back after praying."
Shen Wen looked at Xia Zi and let out a cry, forced himself to be quiet, sighed weakly, and blinked cowardly, seeing that Xia Zi was unmoved, he could only turn his eyes to look at the curtain at the car window.
Xia Zi secretly let out a sigh of relief: It's finally done! Wang Zhi asked someone to bring her a letter, saying that he had already killed Second Young Master Shen! Now that she has brought Second Miss Shen out of the mansion, it is considered a great achievement. Both husband and wife will be rewarded and walk on the road of prosperity! She doesn't have to go back today, she is no longer a woman, she will be a wife! Such a great prospect...
When the righteous soldiers left the city, all the horses were requisitioned, and the rest of the animals were old and weak donkeys or mules. The donkey cart started and slowly left the back door of the Hou Mansion. A donkey cart parked on the street also moved, and a dozen people came not far away, following on foot.
Zheng Qian was sitting in the following donkey cart, and he asked the driver to get as close to the Hou Fu's cart as possible. He saw the coachman gesturing to them, and he knew that Second Miss Shen was already in the car. After running back and forth for two days, he was delighted that today was finally done: the driver of the Hou Mansion would drive the donkey cart into a yard not far away, there were already a dozen people waiting in the yard, and more than a dozen people followed outside, A total of thirty people. The three sons of Zhenbei Hou's family and the eldest lady who can fight are not in the city. No one can protect Miss Shen this time. She is alone, and the maids and coachmen around her are all the prince's people. escape.
Shen Wen's father and brother really couldn't save her. Shen Zhuo and Ping Yuanhou's volunteer soldiers were already five hundred miles away, and Yancheng, where Zhenbeihou and his son lived, was facing a large-scale attack from Beirong.
In February, there was no harvest. Although the Beibei army robbed all the villages near Yancheng, the harvest was not great. The people took all the food before fleeing. The 256,000 people cannot always live by slaughtering horses, they still have to go south as soon as possible to plunder food.
Tugu Khan really wanted to lure the people out of the city. When fighting outside the city, his cavalry could easily trample the enemy under his feet. There are no troops in the city, and the city gates are closed, just waiting for him to attack the city.
The news from He Duo recently is that the army led by He Duo will be able to enter the plain area in three to five days. As soon as they entered the plains, hundreds of thousands of cavalry were unstoppable, and they were supposed to arrive in the capital within a month. Tugu Khan then ordered to attack the city, and within a few days, he could go south and advance parallel to He Duo after he got down from Yancheng. If you don't go to Yancheng, there are soldiers in the city. If you go south and encounter any setbacks, they will immediately come out to join in the fun, which will cause you to suffer from the enemy. It is better to completely wipe out the main force of the Shen family army.
This time, Tugu Khan used miscellaneous and weak soldiers first, aiming to consume the opponent's arrows. In the city, only the bows and arrows of the past were used, plus the traditional stone boiling oil. For a whole day, all the besiegers left without returning. At nightfall, Tugu Khan activated the armored soldiers. It is said to be iron armor, but Beirong does not produce iron, so it is impossible to make thousands of iron armor. Soldiers use iron sheets to protect the vital parts of their chests, and the rest are only leather armor.
Attacking the city at night is beneficial to the attackers. If the lights are dark, even if the torches are bright on the city, there will inevitably be a few dark places. If the defenders have a wrong eye, someone can climb up.
Ji Wenzhao stared at the Beirong soldiers who were rushing up from the northern city, and said to Zhenbeihou beside him, "Master Hou, it seems that these are their elite soldiers. We should also use some good weapons."
Zhenbeihou nodded and said: "Okay, let's use the strong crossbow and short crossbow." During this period of time, he finally found out all kinds of new weapons. Weak bows and longbows for defenders, etc. Weapons have different shooting distances, and the quality and lethality of the arrows are also different. It can be seen how much energy his two sons and Ji Wenzhao spent preparing for this war. Wen Zhao has such foresight.
Ji Wenzhao sent the order to go, and the soldiers who had been on standby for more than a month in the distant yard cheered. Soon, people with new-style arrows and crossbows lined up to the city, a little arrogantly, and stood among the old and weak soldiers and volunteers who used to defend the city with old weapons and stones. Immediately there were complaints in the city: "We have worked so hard to guard for so long, why should we let us try these? Why can you use such good weapons?"
The new soldiers said proudly: "It is skillful to use these! Novices have to practice for several months..."
Ji Wenzhao had no choice but to walk back and forth and talk to each other: "In the future, I will definitely let everyone try it." This kind of empty talk is really necessary.
Not long after, the Beirong soldiers who climbed up the ladder like wolves and tigers suffered the first severe blow since they crossed the border.
Soldiers with crossbows were not in a hurry to shoot, but every arrow must hit the enemy. There were generals observing the battlefield, and they kept reminding: "Hit! Remember! Hit!..." Qi Conglin especially Emphasis: "Very expensive! These arrows are very expensive! One tael of silver for each!..."
The soldiers laughed occasionally: "You must be qualified to be a housewife!" "Wow! My one tael of silver!"
Qi Conglin shouted: "The arrow is painted blue, can you make it?! Hey! Aim well! Don't miss it! This arrow is very precious!"...
It makes sense for them to shout that, because even if this kind of arrow hits the iron armor, the arrow can penetrate half a foot, which is extremely sharp. All of a sudden, people on the ladder let go and fell down one after another. Those who finally reached the top of the wall were beaten down with sticks by the guards or shot to death by soldiers with short crossbows.
It was only an hour, and the 30,000 elite soldiers who came to attack the city were running out! Ji Wenzhao took it for granted. He mobilized a thousand soldiers and fired an arrow every one or two minutes. The siege soldiers could not move fast when they climbed up, making it easier to shoot. They could kill and injure about 60,000 people in an hour, and it was not difficult to deal with these 30,000 people. Tugu Khan was extremely shocked! He has been in the country for so long, this is the first time he has seen the power of the Shen family army! He took a closer look at the arrows presented by the soldiers below, and realized like Huo Luo that these arrows were unusual, but unfortunately they were too short for Bei Rong to use!
Tugu Khan hesitated. Although he has 256,000 men, but only 100,000 elite soldiers, the initial siege lost 40,000 to 50,000 ordinary soldiers, and tonight he lost nearly 30,000 elite soldiers! In this way, the advantage of your own strength will disappear...
Seeing that the night outside the city was dark and no one was coming up, Ji Wenzhao said to Zhenbei Hou, "Master, it's impossible if they don't attack the city, we have to lure them."
Zhenbei Hou now fully agrees with Ji Wenzhao's military means - not just defending, but destroying the enemy in defense. He immediately listened to Ji Wenzhao's suggestion and issued a series of orders.
After half an hour, a fire suddenly broke out on the north gate of Yancheng. The Beirong army could see the flames on the city, but the fire was quickly extinguished.
This news was reported to Tugu Khan's account, and Tugu Khan remembered Huo Luo's words that the prince of the Southern Dynasty once said that he would cooperate sincerely with Beirong, and he was very enthusiastic. Later, some people from the Southern Dynasty came to Beirong with envoys, saying that they would help Bei Rong inquired about the military situation. Tugu Khan didn't really believe in the sincerity of the prince of the Southern Dynasty. Of course, if there were really people in Yancheng who were toward him, he should make good use of them.
In the next few days, Tugu Khan ordered his soldiers to stand by at night, ready to attack the city at any time.
Sure enough, late at night, a fire broke out on the north gate again, and the flames did not go out for a long time. Attacking the city at night had an advantage, but Tugu Khan couldn't miss this opportunity, and finally ordered another attack. This time, he was determined to capture Yancheng, so he let the powerful soldiers attack at the same time as the civilians who accompanied the army or were captured, and the soldiers could use other people to block the arrows. He first mobilized 50,000 people to attack, and then he himself went to the front to command and deploy more troops at any time.
The brigade of Beirong soldiers and ants generally rushed to Yancheng from the north in the dark. The firelight on the north gate is like a pilot light, attracting them to move forward bravely.
When Beirong approached the north gate, they were pleasantly surprised to find that the gate, which had always been closed, was slightly opened!