Zhide County is surrounded by mountains. These days, there are always bandits and bandits in the mountains close to the city, and Zhide County is no exception. There are not only some, but several.
However, after Jiang Yitao captured De County on Wang Yi'en's order, he recruited surrounding bandits. The bandits were so powerful that these bandits readily came to seek refuge. However, the bandits who came over were either detached to follow Wang Yi'en's army to continue the Northern Expedition, or were killed by Jiang Yitao.
If they were killed secretly, there was no way he could leave these local vigilantes on his private territory.
But not all bandits come to surrender. There are always some who like to be alone. For example, in the mountains northeast of the city, there is a bandit den of twenty or thirty people. The leader's surname is Yu, and his nickname is Yu Datou.
Set up camp on the sharp and steep mountain.
How could he allow others to sleep soundly beside his couch? Jiang Yitao once told Yu Datou that if he did not surrender within a month, there were only two ways to go. One was to go hundreds of miles away to make a fortune elsewhere, and the other was to lead his troops to crush the tiger's tip.
Yu Datou had been in Zhide for several years, and things were going smoothly. However, he was dissatisfied when Qianglong arrived and told him, a local snake, to get out. However, there were only twenty or thirty people in the village and they couldn't do it, so he struggled and struggled every day.
ah.
Seeing that the deadline was approaching, he decided to send people secretly into the city to inquire about the news to see if Jiang Yitao was really coming or just to scare him, and to see if he could find someone to make peace with him.
So two of his men who were good at climbing over walls were ordered to go down the mountain early in the morning to prepare to sneak into the city. Zhide County had only opened the west gate for three or four months, so the two of them went down the mountain and headed straight for the west gate. It was already half time.
At noon, they found that the city gate was closed, and there were many villagers outside the city talking in the rain. When the two inquired about it, they were shocked.
Some people said that the officers and soldiers came to seize the city. They sent a few patrols early in the morning and had breakfast at the butcher's house nearby. Others said that P's officers and soldiers were definitely bandits from other places or they were fighting among themselves.
…
Anyway, there are all kinds of things, but no one can be sure what came to seize the city. The only thing that is certain is that the group of people rushed in and never came out again.
The two of them hurriedly returned to the mountain to report. When Yu Datou heard this, he thought, "This is my opportunity. If the officers and soldiers come, they will have no time to do it themselves. If it is the same on other mountains, I may be able to intervene while both sides suffer."
, then he asked two people to come and explore. If the city was empty, they would come to seize the city. Yu Datou also wanted to be the lord of the city!
"So Yu Datou is leading his men and horses to ambush somewhere outside the city now?" Chang Yu raised his eyebrows, and Feitian Shu quickly shook his head: "No, no, the situation in the city is unknown and it is impossible to seize the city in a hurry. What's more, it's raining so hard. He just
Let the two of us sneak into the city to investigate tonight... The two brothers were waiting outside the city until now, thinking... but they didn't know that as soon as they came up..."
Chang Yu snorted coldly: "You are lucky if you meet us." The eyes of the two of them suddenly lit up: "The good man has promised to take us two brothers in. Hehe, in fact, we have always wanted to be rebels."
"You want to be a rebel? Really?" Chang Yu raised his eyebrows, and the two of them hurriedly patted their chests and promised: "I can think of a hundred ideas, even in my dreams. As long as I become a rebel, I can do anything."
Everyone laughed, and both of them had goosebumps. Chang Yu smiled bitterly and shook his head: "Come on, he wants to be a rebel and has no interest in becoming an officer or soldier with us, so just kill him."
"No, sir!" The two men quickly kowtowed again: "Of course you have to be officers and soldiers to serve the court. What a bullshit rebel army. What's the difference between those people who rob families and us who are bandits? Yes, they are.
The thief army is a thief army. Sir, please give us another chance. We want to be officers and soldiers..."
Seeing the trembling expressions of the two of them, Chang Yu laughed: "Actually, we are the rebels, I'm trying to scare you." The two of them looked bitter and said, "Stop playing with us, okay? It doesn't matter whether you are an officer, soldier or a rebel.
I'll just follow you, as long as I don't behead."
"Besides, it's boring." Chang Yu curled his lips and said, "Take them back to the Yamen."
The night was deep and the rain was getting lighter. The guards in the yamen had slept well during the day. At this time, many of them had not fallen asleep and were still playing. They saw Chang Yu and the others had caught two snitches and came back. They were all excited and surrounded them with all kinds of chatter.
The mouse was so frightened that it peed.
Chang Yu changed into clean clothes and meditated in the room for a while before calling Kuang Ren over: "How many prisoners in the cell are leaving?"
Kuang Ren shook his head: "Not one!"
This made Chang Yu very surprised. Could it be that these thieves were old fritters who had peeked into his mind? Kuang Ren thought it was unlikely. He speculated that these thieves had long been accustomed to this kind of life, and few of them could accept it.
They have the heart to return to their hometown and farm honestly, and they themselves know that these days there is no peaceful farming life, no freedom and happiness like being a soldier, and no tomorrow.
"Our family wants to kill these people, but we can't bear it, but we still feel uneasy about keeping them or taking them with us..." Chang Yu glanced at Kuang Ren: "How about using them to kill that group of bandits?"
Kuang Ren nodded: "It's just their certificate of submission." Chang Yu hummed: "But first, you should wash the brains of those two rats." Then the two of them started discussing in a low voice in the room.
Li Yan inspected the officers and soldiers camp outside Anqing City for the fourth time. Normally, he would have taken a rest at this time if there was nothing important to do. However, it was different today. Although the leader of the thieves, Cheng Niandong, had expressed his willingness to surrender, he had to
Defend.
People are most likely to be careless when they are closest to victory, and usually at such a critical moment, they love to make mistakes. As an experienced strategist, Li Yan is very cautious. He must beware of Cheng Niandong's sudden surprise attack tonight.
"General Li, please rest early. We can't cause any trouble if we are on duty." Fan Jiaqian, the leading eunuch of Dongchang Palace Camp, came over and said softly. Li Yan nodded: "I'll help you all." He cupped his hands and was about to
When I returned to the commander's tent, I suddenly saw a fire warning in the distance, and then a fast horse came running: "General Li, the leader of the thieves wants to see you."
Li Yan frowned and sent someone to inform the generals. Then he and Fan Jiaqian hurried to the side of Anqing City. From a distance, they saw bright lights on the city and a man standing outside the east gate holding a lantern.
Li Yan was about to go but was stopped by Fan Jiaqian: "General Li, wait a minute, wait for us to go and have a look." The man was within shooting range of the city, and Li Yan, the commander of the officers and soldiers, could not take risks.
Fan Jiaqian galloped up to the man and stared at him for a few meters: "Cheng Niandong?"
Cheng Niandong frowned and looked at the man on the horse: "I'm asking to see General Li. Who are you?"
Fan Jiaqian raised his head and glanced at the city, then raised the corners of his mouth with a trace of disdain on his face: "Are you playing?"
Cheng Niandong looked back and realized that the other party had misunderstood what he meant. He cupped his hands and said, "I'll go with you." Then he walked alone towards the officers and soldiers camp.
"General Li, I have decided to surrender. Three thousand lives are entrusted to you. Don't let us down!" Cheng Niandong went straight to the topic after seeing Li Yan. Li Yan nodded slightly: "You came here late at night, just for this?"
Cheng Niandong nodded heavily: "After I returned to the city, I discussed it with my brothers. What they were most worried about was whether they could survive after surrender, so I used General Li as a guarantee. They still trust General Li very much, but they also
Some people think..."
"I feel that since I have surrendered to the court, I may not keep my promise, right?" Li Yan smiled: "Actually, you are also wondering if you can trust me, so you came to see me late at night to test me."
"I don't dare to test," Cheng Niandong said with a pop and knelt down: "I'm here to beg the general! I am willing to exchange one life for the safety of thousands of brothers. Please show your kindness to General Li for the sake of the past!"
Li Yan took a deep breath, stared at Cheng Niandong for a long time, then walked forward and helped him up: "How about we make a deal?"
Cheng Niandong was startled: "General Li's words..."
Li Yan whispered in his ear, and Cheng Niandong couldn't help but exclaimed: "This..."
"I have a personal grudge against this dog. How about you help me and I will protect your life and the lives of thousands of your brothers?" Li Yan said softly. Cheng Niandong knelt down again with a thud: "I am willing to serve General Li as a dog and horse." He said
Knowing that Li Yan asked him to do such a private thing was ostensibly a transaction, but in fact it was to express his feelings. After telling you such a private thing, you are one of your own.