The wedding is scheduled for September 18th. The maple leaves in the mountains are dyed red and the autumn mood is intoxicating. Many people cannot come to Chongzhou to watch the ceremony, but the congratulatory gifts from people in Qingzhou, Jiangning, Dongyang, Jinhai and other places have arrived before the 18th.
Chongzhou.
Surprisingly, Chen Xiyan sent his family members to send him a generous congratulatory gift in Jiyang.
When he was on Dayangshan Island, Chen Huawen once said that he would come to Chongzhou to observe the ceremony in person. However, after the middle of the year, the East China Sea bandits gathered in large numbers on the Shengsi Islands with the intention of a major invasion. The situation in Haiyu and Chongzhou suddenly became urgent. Here
Under the circumstances, Chen Huawen naturally could not leave Haiyu and come to Chongzhou to watch the ceremony. He just sent his family members to send generous gifts to express his apology.
On the 16th, Chongzhou was already in a turmoil. There were almost no people in the official roads and towns near the river mouth. People fleeing had begun to appear in the northwest. Lin Fu was non-stop inspecting the defense of various places. Local defense mostly used rural soldiers. He wanted to
The limited elites were gathered together and used, and they rushed back to Zilang Mountain. It was already dusk, and they were sent to Han Zai and Wu Meijiu to inspect the defenses near Zilang Mountain.
The new city of Chongzhou has only been built to waist height, with rammed earth in the middle, and the green bricks covering both sides have not yet been built, so it cannot accommodate troops. Both the East and North Yamen were renovated from Zen monasteries, and they could not withstand the invasion of the Japanese soldiers.
Han Zai complained loudly: "I have long said that the construction of the city cannot be delayed. If the city had been built a day earlier and was impregnable, even if ten times the enemy came, we would not be panicked. Look, it has been delayed until today.
The wall can't stop the bandits from crossing over, but the East China Sea bandits are about to invade, what should we do?"
Wu Meijiu calmed down a little, and only said: "The matter has come to this, and taking regret medicine is not an option. It is better to quickly discuss an accurate idea, so as not to panic when the East China Sea bandits attack..."
No one wanted to go to Chongzhou to wade into the troubled waters. Wu Mei could not escape his fate for a long time. In early August, the Ministry of official affairs officially issued a document. He served as the magistrate of Chongzhou. Li Shuyi promoted him to the county magistrate. There was no county captain and Hu Zhicheng was appointed as the magistrate.
Officials, and also leaders of rural soldiers.
The only two battalions of newly formed rural soldiers in Chongzhou were also controlled by Lin Fu. The Donghai bandits wanted to invade Chongzhou. Although Lin Fu called him and Han Zai to discuss defense, it was actually Lin Fu who made the decision, and Wu Meijiu did not do it for a long time.
There was something to be worried about. At worst, the bandits would attack and he would hide behind Lin Fu.
Wu Meijiu had been a military commander for several years and joined the army. He also led troops to fight against many groups of bandits. He was more courageous than Han Zai and was not so easily panicked.
Lin Fu withdrew his eyes from a distance, looked at Han Zai, and said: "Master Han, I have said before that I am entirely responsible for building the city. When the invaders came, the city was not built yet. I wore armor and held a halberd, and fought bloody battles with the invaders.
, will never retreat even half a step unless he is killed. The two battalions of Jiangdong Zuojun's boat divisions have also deployed defenses along Yue'er Beach and Guanyin Beach on both sides of Xisha Island. However, the enemy force is very strong, with no less than ten thousand people gathered in Shengsi and no less than a thousand warships.
The ship, pointed by the military front, destroyed Haiyu and Chongzhou like a rotten tree. The left army from Jiangdong defended Chongzhou and defended the island, reluctantly. However, to guard the Jiangkou and prevent the Western invaders from invading, the troops are still insufficient. I am afraid that reinforcements will have to be requested from Jiangning..."
"Yes, yes," Han Zai nodded and said, "The more soldiers the better, we cannot fight an uncertain battle. If you don't have a good plan, I will go to Jiangning and Haozhou to find Commander Yue for reinforcements..." He doesn't care whether he can invite reinforcements or not.
, as long as he can leave this dangerous place temporarily.
"Taihu pirates are infested across the river and sea, and they are quite rampant. Maybe there are spies from the East China Sea bandits that have penetrated into the interior. Mr. Han took a boat to Jiangning and passed through Jiyang County and Baisha County. I'm afraid there will be no peace..." Li Shuyi said in
Said the side.
Han Zai was frightened by Li Shuyi and became suspicious again. He looked at Xiao Baiming and asked, "Does Inspector Xiao want to accompany me to Jiangning?"
Logically speaking, Lin Fu had no power to dispatch the naval forces stationed in the military water stronghold in Ninghai Town, but Han Zai, as Xuanwei's special envoy, had nominal control over the Jiangdong left army and the military stronghold.
Xiao Baiming's face was filled with uncertainty. He knew that Lin Fu was trying every possible means to drive them out of Junshan Stronghold so that the Jiangdong Zuo Army could occupy the dangerous area of Junshan Stronghold. At this time, Lin Fu and Li Shuyi were acting as a pair to coax him to go to Jiangning, right?
What kind of conspiracy is hidden? I can't help but weigh the serious gains and losses.
Lin Fu narrowed his eyes at Xiao Baiming. He didn't bother to play any conspiracy and said directly to Han Zai: "Master Han is going to Jiangning to ask for reinforcements. If everything goes well, he will be back in seven or eight days. If things go wrong, it may be delayed for a month or two. No matter
Mr. Han is in charge of Chongzhou, and the troops and horses in Chongzhou must not be disorganized. There needs to be someone to control the troops on Mr. Han's behalf. If Xiao Dujian's subordinates feel that the control is too reluctant, the Jiangdong left army can withdraw to the land and leave the mouth of the river to the army.
The garrison of the cottage... even if Commander Yue is here, I will say the same thing."
Han Zai's heart skipped a beat. He knew that Lin Fu was not an economical person. He didn't expect that he would threaten him with a pile of picks at the critical moment. He was itching with hatred, but he didn't have the courage to say that he would stay in Chongzhou to fight against the enemy.
A chill ran down Xiao Baiming's spine. If Lin Fu had to fight, the Jiangdong left army would retreat inland. With only 600 navy troops and 400 miscellaneous soldiers in the army camp, there would be no way to defend the river mouth. But if Lin Fu had to agree to Lin Fu's conditions, the army camp would also be under pressure.
Lin Fu is restrained. You can think of what evil intentions Lin Fu hides with your toes.
Wu Meijiu secretly said that the Jiangdong Left Army and the Ninghai Zhenshui Camp had a deep feud. They could not work together to defend the enemy, and even restrained each other. They both stayed in Chongzhou, which was harmful and useless. In this situation, it is impossible and impossible for the Jiangdong Left Army to leave Chongzhou, then
We can only ask Ninghai Town to give way to the military cottage.
Lin Fu is now threatening Xiao Taoyuan with a bunch of picks. What can Yue Lengqiu do? Does Xiao Taoyuan dare to mobilize all the Ninghai Zhenshui Battalion troops to guard the river mouth?
"There are still three to five days left. Should Mr. Han send a messenger to Jiangning to inform Commander Yue of the difficulties here? Perhaps reinforcements will arrive without Mr. Han leaving Chongzhou..." Wu Meijiu said.
Chongzhou has no city to defend, and the Donghai bandits gathered on the Shengsi Islands are coming with extra force. They may invade in a large scale in three to five days. If any reinforcements dare to come to help defend Chongzhou, how will they have time to rescue Chongzhou? Han Zai gritted his teeth and said: "No.
The time can be delayed for three to five days. Inspector Xiao sent a ship to escort me to Jiangning. Inspector Lin will take charge of the garrison here. All armies are under control. If the county governor's office has other decisions, we will discuss it again.
----Be sure to keep the enemy outside the river mouth...I will sign the official letter when I get back, and Inspector Xiao will make preparations soon."
Han Zai was rare and decisive, and without giving Xiao Baiming time to discuss with Jiyang, he was forced into a corner where he could not turn around: either stay and be controlled by Lin Fu to resist the invading Donghai bandits, or use the force to escort Han Zai
In the name of raising an army, he left Chongzhou, but Lin Fu occupied the dangerous area of Junshan Village. It would be extremely difficult for him to spit it out.
Han Zai left with his entourage, and Xiao Baiming shouted anxiously: "Master Han, wait for me..." and chased after him, hoping that there was still room for change.
***************
Lin Fu returned to Dongya. The people were rushing in and out, with solemn expressions on their faces. Compared with the invasion in early April, the number of troops gathered by the East China Sea bandits on the Shengsi Islands this time exceeded 10,000, and ships continued to arrive at Daheng every day.
The island leaves no time to enjoy the joy of the upcoming wedding.
In Dongya, in addition to Cao Ziang, Fu Qinghe, Sun Jingtang, Lin Mengde and others, Gu Siyuan and Ma Chao were also there.
Gu Siyuan was originally in Qingzhou, and Lin Fu and his sister Gu Junxun were getting married. Others in Qingzhou could not leave, but Gu Siyuan had to come. Gu Siyuan went with Ma Chao and a group of cavalry a few days in advance to return to Jiangning first, and then escorted him.
His sister Gu Junxun came to Chongzhou from Jiangning with her dowry. There were still two days left before the wedding day. For fear of being disturbed, Gu Junxun had no choice in leaving Jiangning. He even used the fleet as a cover and arrived in Chongzhou by land yesterday, temporarily staying with the maid who was dowry.
, the mother-in-law lives at Gu Yingxiu’s place.
Gu Siyuan was the son of Gu Wuchen and held a position in Qingzhou. The situation in Chongzhou was urgent. Although Lin Fu was out inspecting the defense, Cao Ziang and Fu Qinghe could not exclude Gu Siyuan and prevent him from knowing the military affairs here.
"You have worked hard along the way." Lin Fu and Gu Siyuan saluted and said.
"Compared to Chongzhou, we don't have much hard work." Gu Siyuan said.
"Would it be too late to wait until Han Zai leaves Chongzhou before launching a general mobilization?" Cao Zi'ang asked with some worry, "Although common sense dictates that She Fei Xiong should not attack Chongzhou, but we must guard against him making the lie come true. Chongzhou's defense is not good at all.
You can’t relax..."
"I have considered moving the second and third posts of the Fengli Infantry Battalion to the north bank first to strengthen the mobility here. The people of Xisha Island bravely mobilized first and sent the first and second battalions of the Jinghaihai Battalion to
Guard Guanyin Beach and Yue'er Beach with a tight attitude," Lin Fu frowned and said, "Ninghai Town will not give up the army's stronghold, and the Jiangdong Left Army has no responsibility to guard the Jiangkou..."
"As a result, Han Zai no longer dares to stay in Chongzhou. He cannot bear the responsibility for the loss of Jiangkou," Lin Mengde said. "For him, the best way is to throw the burden on your shoulders."
Go back to Jiangning and ask for reinforcements. He has been hiding for ten and a half months. He will figure it out if he can be pushed and fished out. I am afraid that Xiao Baiming will bite the bullet and stay..."
"If you stay, follow him. If Yue Lengqiu sends reinforcements, follow him. Right now, our main purpose is to prevent bandits from the East China Sea from landing and killing them wantonly. Sentries will be sent to the main easy landing points to build Fengshan piers," Lin Fu said
, "She Fei Xiong has gathered so many troops on the Shengsi Islands, whether it's real or fake, there won't be any action at all - this time Xiao Baiming no longer avoids the enemy and fights cowardly, I really can't find an excuse to kill him."
His head..."
"It makes you unable to arrange your wedding." Lin Mengde said.
"I don't like to be too extravagant either," Lin Fu said.
"You have been traveling for three days before coming back. You should prepare for the wedding," Cao Zi'ang said, "There is nothing important here."
Cao Ziang had the talent to lead an army, but compared to leading an army directly, he was well versed in military affairs and general affairs, and was meticulous and energetic. He was also an excellent staff candidate. With him assisting in military affairs, Lin Fu would have to save a lot of effort.
Lin Fu then invited Gu Siyuan to ride up the mountain and ask about the situation in Shandong under the tree-lined road in the mountain.
Last year, the Donglu invaded the border in early October. In late autumn, the situation in the north suddenly became tense. Yue Lengqiu even transferred the main force of the Changhuai Army to the north bank of the Huaihe River to prepare for the march north to King Qin——This is also
Lin Fu used Chongzhou's situation to threaten Xiao Baiming to withdraw from the military camp. Han Zai could not invite reinforcements from Jiangning at all. The 300,000 civilians gathered on the Yellow River embankment were also a very worrying problem.
Tang Hao
As far as Zhang Xie and the inner court are concerned, they definitely don’t want to have their throat tied to the hugely wasteful Tianjin-Hai grain road, but they can’t spend more money to improve the situation of the people who build the embankment—even if they can
More money, because official corruption is serious and unable to rectify the administration, will not be of any help in the end.
In addition, Liu An'er, Luo Xiancheng, Gong Yucai and other tribesmen invaded Western Qin, Sichuan and Zhongzhou on a large scale. They also broke into Jinzhong, Jingchu, Jinghu and other counties, inducing distressed villagers to commit crimes. The prefectures and counties repeatedly reported
Although there were losses, the officers and soldiers occasionally achieved victory, but they could only barely maintain the situation.
There was great chaos in the Central Plains, and the border counties were facing powerful enemies. With the overall situation of the world in front of them, Lin Fu could only defend Chongzhou and wait and see.