When the morning sun rose, the aura of panic and restlessness had enveloped the entire city.
The news of the battle near the Qiantang Gate in the west was faintly heard. The fire in the north of the city seemed to be spreading, but it was still in a huge chaos. Deployed in the melee, and due to the spread of such chaos, there were large and small conflicts all over the city of Hangzhou at this time, people were panicked, and there was nowhere to go.
As one of the most important and most symbolic cities in Jiangnan, Hangzhou has not suffered from war since the establishment of the Wu Dynasty. Even if the situation in the south was chaotic earlier, when Fang La and others were fighting in Shezhou, Wuzhou and other places, because the Wude Camp was heavily defended here, everyone understood that Hangzhou was of great significance, at least for the Suzhou-Hangzhou area. For everyone, the sense of crisis in the war is like an abyss after all. That's why, when Fang La's men and horses came to kill him, the nightmare became a reality overnight. At this time, every household in the city was suddenly a little stunned.
At this time, Hangzhou was rich and prosperous, and there were a certain number of the Imperial Army and the Xiang Army guarding here, but they were mainly under the control of the Wude Camp. Due to the earthquake these days, the main military force of the Wude Camp has also gathered, and there are about 30,000 troops guarding the city and outside the city. Along with the chaos in the Qiantangmen in the west, the army immediately shrank, closed the city gates on all sides, sounded the alarm, rejected the enemy, and began to suppress the chaos in the city.
The army is not enough, and the Wude camp guarding Hangzhou at this time is well-supplied, and its combat power can also be guaranteed. In the chaos that started in the morning, Ning Yi and others in Taiping Lane could not clearly understand the direction of things except listening to the chaotic development and refusing to guard the alley on their own side. Everyone was anxiously waiting for the exact news, and some people came to ask Ning Yi what he could do at this time. In the end, Ning Yi just waved his hand and asked his cook to go back to cook breakfast.
The soldiers are fierce and dangerous. When this kind of thing is imminent and there are not enough resources at hand, Ning Yi may not have much backbone. At this time, the fire is spreading in the north of the city. Recalling how Yuan Dingqi looked when he came here yesterday, he was beheaded with a knife this morning. It must be Fang La's deployment who entered the city early in the chaos. It is hard to say how many. At this time, we can only temporarily believe in the combat power of the Wude Battalion and wait for more news to make the trend clear.
Of course, what needs to be done is not just waiting for such a simple thing. When it comes to this time, what can be done by oneself should be summed up.
Have porridge in the morning.
Various sounds were still coming from all sides of the city, and the buzzing was annoying. Ning Yi and his family were sitting in the courtyard and eating breakfast. There were still people coming and going on the streets outside, but at this time, the security units still took the streets as the mainstay. Lord, no one really dares to go out of Taiping Alley. After all, no one knows whether they will encounter people from the Shangla faction who come into the city. Ning Yi thought for a while, and then ordered Dong Zhu to prepare a carriage. The people on the side were frightened by his decision, Xiao Chan's eyes widened: "Gu, uncle, what are you doing..."
"Nothing..." Ning Yi was about to explain when Fu Fangzheng also came in from outside the hospital. It turned out that soldiers from the Wude Battalion came over just now, and ordered people in every street to strictly guard their homes and not to run around at will. At this time, some bandits were inciting chaos in the city, and the Wude Battalion was encircling and suppressing them, so as not to be taken advantage of by those gangsters. opportunity.
The deputy said again, according to the people from the Wude Camp, the chaos near the Qiantangmen in the west was well prepared. At this time, the enemy had been shut out, although the other party wanted to attack the city wall. A breach, but it will definitely not be taken advantage of, so that the people in the city can rest assured. Listening to the momentum in the morning, this thing seems to be true. After all, there are still capable people here in Hangzhou. The city wall collapses, and they will not take no precautions. It seems that the officers and soldiers also deliberately made loopholes. When someone took the bait, it was the bandits who had entered the city that they could make such a big splash, I am afraid they did not expect it.
Ning Yi also made up his mind for this, but the officers and soldiers could not fully believe it, and what had been decided still had to be done. He told Fu Fangzheng that he was going to go out later, took out the commander token of the martial arts camp yesterday, and after a few perfunctory reasons, the other party nodded, and then went to tell others that Taiping Lane would be under martial law news.
After Fufang was leaving, Xiaochan was so anxious that she was about to cry: "Master, where are you going? All those bandits have entered the city. What if they meet?"
Ning Yi said softly: "Go visit the people of the Qian family, do something, and then see if we can get a boat. It's not enough to go north by the canal, but there are still sea boats going east to the Qiantang River..."
"No, it's definitely not possible at this time, and there are bandits outside..."
"Let's give it a try, don't forget that your uncle is also a murderous slaughter. Everyone is from the rivers and lakes. Don't be afraid. I will be back soon." Ning Yi smiled to comfort her, and then hugged her with one hand. In front of him, he patted her shoulder. At this time, there were many family members around, but he did it as a matter of course, and it was very natural. Xiaochan was also stunned for a while, and only vaguely heard Ning Yi muttering to himself: "Give a go, a bicycle becomes a motorcycle..."
He only hugged Xiaochan, then he let go of Xiaochan, Su Taner looked at him from the opposite side, but didn't care about Ning Yi hugging Xiaochan, she just walked aside with Ning Yi, and she whispered: "Xiaochan You're right, at this time the ship is afraid..."
"I know." Ning Yi nodded and replied in a low voice, "Sea boats can go out of the city, but there are definitely not many. At this time, I estimate that the people on the pier are already full, and there is no hope for us to go there. But the government is on the other side. As long as there is still a little hope, I will never let the ship leave, otherwise people will only become more confused, and that will definitely be the way to stay. Things are prepared with both hands. If it really reaches the point of escaping, I must find a way to get rid of it. Some places are out, you, Wen Fang Wending, Chan'er Juan'er Xing'er... The Wude camp is ready, the city won't be destroyed too soon, I must go to Qian Xiwen as soon as possible. Not only the sea boat, we also have to make third-hand preparations ."
"Then the others..."
"I will try my best, but if I get killed..." Ning Yi thought for a while, "I can only give priority to you."
Su Tan'er squeezed his hand and nodded: "... The husband comes back quickly, the concubine here is watching."
Ning Yi nodded. After that, Dongzhu set up the carriage, but Ning Yi didn't plan to let him drive the carriage. At this time, there might be danger outside, but it was not big, but after thinking about it, he moved two more cans of gunpowder to put it in. to the carriage. The car left the alley.
Along the way, many streets and alleys along the way have been strictly guarded by the people. The chaos still occurred in the area where the fire spread to the north of the city, but from a distance, the most important thing was to be suppressed. At this time, it seemed Zhenghua spreads out into small strands, which are far away from here, and should not be able to extend for a while. However, after walking for a while, I saw that some streets and alleys were not their own places. It seemed that a certain nursing home was organized, and Min Zhuang came out with weapons. After encountering several groups, Ning Yi lowered his head and pondered for a moment on the carriage. When he encountered another group, he leaned over and took out the token.
When a leader saw the token, he was a little skeptical for a while, but after all, Ning Yi didn't look like a bandit and said, "Someone told us to guard our neighborhood, but after a while, there was another soldier. Let us send some people to help defend the city, gather at the Xichun Bridge, and if you don't listen to it, we will deal with it in the future, who do you want us to listen to about this kind of thing!"
Ning Yi separated from this group, and after a while, he met another group of people who seemed to be in a different direction, but said that a messenger told them to go to Gumao Lane to gather. Holding the yamen's token, the people here naturally dare not not listen. Ning Yi took a breath and asked the group of people to go back and guard their house. The group of people should have believed Ning Yi's words and started rushing back.
Similar things are probably happening in the city at this time. Although Ning Yi saw some clues for a while, he didn't have time to worry about it, and came all the way to Qian's house. At this time, the Qian family's house also collapsed a lot. A large number of Qian Family Nursing Homes and guards were guarding the neighborhood, but after Ning Yi called someone to pass the news, he was immediately received by Qian Xiwen.
On the Qian family's ancestral house, the house where Qian Xiwen originally lived was not destroyed by the earthquake, but a shed was also erected in the courtyard at this time. When Ning Yi was led over, the old man was sitting on a chair in the shack drinking tea. Since the courtyard wall had been shaken, he could see the smoke and dust in the north sky from this side. Seeing Ning Yi coming over, Qian Xiwen stood up and smiled, then put down the teacup on the table. It seemed that the old man was calm, and he also praised Ning Yi for coming to him at this time, and ordered the servants to pour tea over.
"Liheng, sit down. The place is simple, don't be polite. Although the house over there hasn't collapsed, the younger generation in the family has been worried all the time. Seeing that an old man like me is only allowed to live in a thatched hut. But then again, the wall has collapsed, and the wind blows at night. Come here, it's still pretty cool, and it's not easy on your side, right?"
Ning Yi bowed to him: "Junior came here this time because I wanted to ask the time of guarding the city and hear what Duke Qian had to say."
Qian Xiwen nodded: "Li Qiushi will offend the Lou family. Although there was an earthquake, you didn't come to me, which means you have a good idea. Today's matter, you came for the first time, it means that you are not simply arrogant. I understand. Coping, knowing how to advance and retreat, and having blood, that's good."
At this time, the servant served Ning Yi a cup of tea, and Qian Xiwen raised his teacup and gestured towards the north: "This old man is a literati, and he has no way of making sense of today's affairs, but it was just the one who asked for someone to ask. After the earthquake, the Fang bandits took the opportunity to seize the city, and the army was prepared. The Fang bandits on the Qiantangmen side suddenly launched an attack, but the first Bo offensive has been completely defeated. If you ask me about the war, Liheng, I can't say. , but the people I have asked are somewhat confident, although... The fire also surprised them, and the various conditions in the city at this time indicate that there are indeed many people entering the city. However, if the offensive outside the city is not good , under the circumstance that the entire city is enemies, they will not be in chaos for long."
Ning Yi nodded: "So, the army is confident."
Qian Xiwen took a sip of tea and waited for a moment: "Since you have a job, you have to be responsible. Let's talk, everyone has confidence, but if there is no earthquake, the situation will be much better."
"Elder Qian is also confident?"
Qian Xiwen laughed and shook his head: "The old man said, the old man is a scholar, it is hard to say, and I can't say it. However, Liheng can ask this sentence, directed at Siyuan, some things, the old man is not shy. In the war in the west, the Wuwei and Wuzu armies and the Fang bandits occasionally won or lost, and if something happened, they would report great victories. You have to see it for yourself. To be honest, although Wuwei Wusuan has not suffered a major defeat, Fang Bandit's side is not necessarily injured, but his momentum is getting bigger and bigger. This time he attacked Hangzhou, which is an important town for many years. Without the war, the Wude Camp can hold Hangzhou. This... This old man basically believes it. But in my life for decades, I have seen many things. If anything happens... This is something I do not want to think about... "
The old man lowered his voice, but it was not because of any secrets: "The Wude Camp is said to be elite, but it has not been in war for many years. This time, there is no precedent for defending the city. This is a disadvantage. Fang La's side may not be that powerful, after all They are people who can't get enough to eat... This old man has never been involved in war, but Siyuan once sighed that no matter how powerful he looks, he may not always be a master of victory..."
After all, Qian Xiwen is not someone to be fooled. In the battle of siege, if you win, you will win. If you lose, countless people will be destroyed. Although he thinks that he should win, he is sober after all. After listening to him, Ning Yi raised his head and said, "Junior took the liberty of taking the liberty to leave. If there is an accident, you should be able to leave?"
"Well, there are preparations in the army. Those ships were detained early, but unless the city is broken, they will not move. There are not many ships at sea, and the number of people who can go is limited. Once they start to leave, the port will be There must be mutiny."
"At that time, the junior wants seven places, and this matter will be rewarded."
"Seven is a bit too much." Qian Xiwen smiled, "But yes, I will give you the certificate later. But I won't go by boat. If there is a time, you can go out with the defeated army."
"Thank you. Just planning ahead. The younger generation has family members, and Duke Qian also has family members. I don't want them to have an accident. Oh, when I came over, I found something..."
Ning Yi told Qian Xiwen what happened when he was driving, Qian Xiwen frowned, and Ning Yi said, "Although Fang La has been infested not far to the west, but together with this earthquake, they should cooperate inside and outside for seven days. , I think it's a bit fast to start the siege. Those refugees who come here will not be real refugees. They should gather here slowly and try not to be rude. Most of them must be bandit soldiers selected in advance. It is not impossible to spread false news, but it will also have certain difficulties. They respond so quickly, while setting fires, they spread different news everywhere. I don't know if there are other things in the city... "
"It is true that some people are making trouble near Phoenix Gate, and the city wall there is also collapsed. The Wude Battalion is heavily guarded, but there is no sign of attacking the city outside." Qian Xiwen added, and then said, "Liheng continues."
"That is to deploy suspicious soldiers everywhere, and cooperate with the offensive outside the city as much as possible to make the Wude Battalion exhausted. If it is to bloom everywhere, the people who come in must be good players, and they handle it so well, I think they must have started to have a plan before the earthquake. Fang Laxiang When I came from Hangzhou, I must have made preparations before, and then implemented it halfway through, and encountered an earthquake…”
Qian Xiwen was stunned for a while, and then sighed: "This is the right time..."
"I hope Duke Qian will inform the person in charge of the city's defense as soon as possible. The person who planned these things is very powerful, and he must have entered the city. Otherwise, the city will not be able to respond. If this person can be found, it may be able to slightly alleviate the problem inside and outside the city. The pressure." Ning Yi paused, he was too unfamiliar with Hangzhou City after all, just reminding the other party was enough, "In addition, I hope that Lord Qian will give me a talisman."
"What command?"
"I want to convince the wealthy and wealthy households near Taiping Lane, as well as various martial arts guards. At this time, there are enough soldiers in the city, and there should be no need to recruit them to defend the city immediately. But if there is an emergency, you need them, or everyone When I have to escape, I may be able to make the situation better. As for the ship, after all, there are fewer ships and more people, I want to do what I can and leave a third way."
Qian Xiwen looked at him for a long time, thought about it, and smiled eccentrically: "It is not easy to be someone who can be appreciated by Duke Qin, I know that, but there is something I have always wanted to ask Liheng. What is Liheng good at?"
Ning Yi thought for a while, and after a while, he cupped his hands and said, "Last year's disaster relief strategy was written by me, and it's hard to say the rest."
After Qian Xiwen listened, he nodded slightly, then opened the drawer and took out some talismans.
"...That's it." Ro! .