Tang Yin sent an order and posted a notice to collect grain and grass throughout the city. However, the people in Linqiao City were too frightened to go out. No one could see the notice after it was posted, and no one came to hand over the grain. Seeing this, Tang Yin planned to adopt
Forced means were used to collect grains from house to house.
At this moment, Ai Jia led more than a dozen spies from the underground network to ride to Linqiao City. After seeing Tang Yin, she first bowed and saluted, and then asked: "Your Excellency, are you going to collect food in the city now?"
Tang Yin raised his eyebrows when he heard this. As the head of his own intelligence agency, Ai Jia was unaware of the enemy's movements, but he was very aware of his own every move, which made people angry and funny. He nodded and said in a deep voice: "
That's right! Our army's logistics supplies were attacked by the enemy, and most of the food and grass were burned. If we don't collect food, what will so many of our soldiers eat?"
"Then...is there anyone who can pay me the food now?"
"No one pays food."
"What do you plan to do, sir?"
Tang Yin squinted his eyes and said quietly: "The army cannot live without food for a day. Even if we have to use force, we must collect enough food!"
When Ai Jia heard this, she couldn't help but secretly have a cold war, not because of Tang Yin's decision, but because of Qiu Zhen's prediction.
The reason why she rushed to Linqiao City in a hurry was also assigned by Qiu Zhen. The latter's biggest worry was that Tang Yin would use force to requisition food after he captured Linqiao.
She swallowed and whispered: "Sir, before I came, Master Qiu repeatedly told me to prevent you from using coercive means to collect grain."
"Oh?" Tang Yin was stunned. How did Qiu Zhen know that he was going to collect grain and grass? How did he know that he would use coercive means?
Seeing the puzzled look on his face, Ai Jia explained: "Master Qiu said that since the enemy army dared to leave the city to sneak attack on our army's logistics, they must have sent out all their troops, and the county leader Mao An is so cunning, he will not take away the hoards in the city.
Food is reserved for our army. Therefore, if there is no food in the city, you will collect food. Lehu County has always been controlled by Zhong Tian's cronies. The people live in poverty. Each family does not have too much food. Moreover, it has been controlled by Zhong Tian for a long time.
The cronies and public opinion have deep prejudices against our army. If your Excellency asks for food, few people will be willing to hand it over. With your character, you may then use force to collect food. In this way, you will hit the enemy's target.
It’s a trap!”
After listening to Ai Jia's words, Tang Yin was startled and couldn't help but take a breath. Qiu Zhen not only figured out the enemy's intentions, he even figured out his own character and behavior style. This is terrible.
Already...
Tang Yin was silent for a moment, then Fang asked slowly: "What trap did the enemy fall into?"
Ai Jia said: "The enemy will make a big fuss about this to scare the people of Lehu County and make them more hostile to our army. In addition, the enemy will use this matter to lure more people of Lehu County to join the army and give me
The army’s march south has caused a lot of resistance!”
So that's it! Tang Yin is a smart man, he can tell the truth at once. After listening to Ai Jia's narration, he roughly understood Mao An's intention. This person really cannot be underestimated. Although he is only a county chief, he is very scheming, no matter what.
Both the use of troops and the overall strategy can be regarded as unique.
He clenched his fists and murmured: "If we don't collect food, our army will run out of food!"
Ai Jia hurriedly said: "Master Qiu has sent people to Jinguang County to quickly transfer a batch of food and grass. He has also sent people to General Xiao and General Li to ask the other two armies to reinforce the food and grass. It is expected to take up to two days.
Reinforcements of grain and fodder will be delivered."
"Oh!" Tang Yin responded, and at the same time he breathed a sigh of relief. With Qiu Zhen here, he really saved himself a lot of trouble.
With Qiu Zhen's warning, Tang Yin immediately withdrew the order of compulsory grain requisition, and immediately ordered his soldiers to temporarily station in Linqiao City, waiting for the grain and grass from the Pingyuan Army, Chifeng Army and Jinguang County to be delivered before making any plans.
Since most of the food and grass had been destroyed, Tang Yin did not dare to go any further.
Mao An, the head of Shangbei County, did not confront Tang Yin, and he could not afford to fight. He only had 8,000 soldiers at full strength, but he held down the 100,000 direct troops and 30,000 Besa cavalry commanded by Tang Yin.
In Linqiao City, there was a delay of more than two days, which also bought the county chief Geng Qiang more than two days of preparation time.
In the past two days, Tang Yin's direct army not only did not harass the people in Linqiao City, but its main force did not even enter the city. They just camped outside the city. This deepened the people's understanding of the Tianyuan Army in Linqiao City.
Many, their fear and panic have also been greatly reduced.
Mao An ran away, the city lord ran away, and almost all the officials in Linqiao City, large and small, fled to the west of the county. Tang Yin discussed with Qiu Zhen, Zhang Zhe, Zong Yuan and other advisers, and decided that another county chief must be established.
Or the city lord, to stabilize Linqiao City. After all, Linqiao is the county seat, the city is large, and the location is important. If we want to attack Xibai in the future, supplies such as food, grass, materials, etc. will inevitably have to pass through Linqiao to ensure the stability of Linqiao.
Combat is also important.
However, we have just captured Linqiao City and are not familiar with the place. If we assign our trusted personnel to take important positions, I am afraid that we may not be able to manage it well and the people in the city will not be convinced. But if we choose from the locals, we do not know how to choose.
Who is suitable? Tang Yin felt embarrassed about this matter, so Zong Yuan gave him an idea and asked him to put up a notice and ask the people in Qiaolin City to recommend themselves. There must be brave men who receive heavy rewards, and there must be many people who are greedy for fame among high-ranking officials.
A capable person.
Tang Yin felt that Zong Yuan's suggestion was reasonable, so he immediately sent someone to write a notice and post it.
It was the first time that the county chief was directly selected from the common people. No one believed it at first. They just felt that Tang Yin was deliberately pretending to win people's hearts. It was not until the next day that people started to come tentatively. Tang Yin was very interested in these people.
Treat each other with courtesy, and as long as he is willing to come, no one will leave empty-handed. Even if he is not given the position of county guard or city lord, he will be arranged to hold other official positions. In the end, he will be given some silver and sent away.
As a result, the news spread immediately.
By the third day, there were already huge crowds of people who came to the county capital to apply for the army. At this time, reinforcements from the Pingyuan Army and the Chifeng Army had been transported one after another. Tang Yin began to prepare to continue the attack south, and would select the county head and the army.
The matter of the city lord was left to Zong Yuan to handle, while he himself commanded the army and marched south.
Less than a hundred miles south from Linqiao City is Jicheng, which is also the city at the junction of Shangbei County and Baoqing County. As long as Jicheng is captured, Tang Yin and his party can enter Baoqing County and directly take the western part of the county.
Jicheng is not big, but there are nearly 20,000 defenders in the city, 8,000 of whom are Mao An's subordinates, and most of the others are civilians and slaves temporarily recruited into the army, and the county leader Mao An is now in Hebei
In the city, he made complete preparations to block Tang Yin's army here. At the same time, Mao An also sent someone to send a letter to Geng Qiang, explaining his determination to defend Jicheng and asking Geng Qiang to be ready to attack.
Be prepared to wait for the second day of the battle with Tang Yin's army. When the enemy is tired, Geng Qiang will lead the main force of the county army to come for reinforcements. By then, our own side will cooperate with the outside and will be able to defeat the Tianyuan army headed by Tang Yin.
His letter was delivered to Geng Qiang smoothly, but Geng Qiang secretly grinned at his request. The reason why he dared to stay in Lehu County to resist the Tianyuan Army was mainly because the city defense of Xibai City was strong and easy to defend but difficult to defend.
Attack, now Mao An wants him to go out of the city to meet the Tianyuan Army, he is really unsure.
The matter was of great importance, and Geng Qiang did not dare to be careless. He and his cronies discussed this matter all night long, but in the end, no conclusion could be reached after repeated discussions.
They were stalling, but the direct army under the command of Tang Yin did not delay at all, and went all the way south, approaching Jicheng.
A stone's throw away from Jicheng, Tang Yin raised his arm to stop the advance of the army. He looked up at the city in front of him. The length and width were less than five miles, but the city wall was three feet high. This was according to the specifications of a big city.
The built city wall, looking towards the wall, flags are fluttering, embroidered ribbons are fluttering, and there is a big flag above the city gate with a big "Peng" character on it. Looking to the left and right, there are many soldiers and armors, and they are all red.
It is unclear how many Peng troops there are.
Since Tang Yin led his army into Lehu County, this was the first time he saw so many enemy troops. He narrowed his eyes slightly and urged his horses to move forward.
The Shangguan brothers behind him, Wu Guang, Zhan Hu, Guyue, Letian, Ai Jia and others saw this and were afraid that he would make a mistake, so they all followed him on horseback.
Tang Yin was riding forward. Suddenly, there was a harsh roar from the top of the city. A sharp arrow drew a long arc in the air, fell down, and hit the ground in front of Tang Yin's horse's hooves with a bang.
With a sound, the arrow landed on the ground, and the eagle feathers on the arrow tail buzzed and trembled.
Seeing that the enemy's troops had secured their positions, Tang Yinle's horse stopped. He shouted loudly to the top of the city: "I am Tang Yin! Let your general come out and talk to me!"
As soon as he finished speaking, he heard someone from the city shout loudly: "Tang Yin, I have been waiting for you here for a long time!"
Tang Yin closed his eyes and took a closer look, and saw a white-faced general in his thirties standing among the armor on the city. This man was wearing armor, with a long sword on his waist, and a mustache on his lips. Even though he was wearing armor, he still looked elegant.
Tang Yin shouted and asked: "Who are you?"
"The head of Shangbei County, Mao An!"
When he heard the word Mao An, Tang Yin's eyes immediately widened, and his eyes were gleaming with murderous intent. He laughed on his back, pointed at Mao An on the top of the city, and said with a smile: "Mao An, that's what I'm looking for.
You, so you are here, today I will take your dog head!"
"Ha ha--"
Mao An showed no sign of fear. Instead, he laughed and cursed: "Younger Tang Yin, you are a rebel and a traitor. You openly raised an army to rebel. Now you still dare to utter arrogant words. If you have the ability, come and do it!"
Tang Yin clenched his fists, turned his head and said, "Letian, shoot this man down from the city!"
"Yes! Sir!"
Lotte agreed, took out his bow and arrow, and then pulled out a silver arrow. With a wave of his wrist, the silver arrow became spiritual, and inverted teeth sprouted from the arrow body. He picked up the bow and arrow, and aimed it at the top of the city.
Mao An, suddenly an arrow.
Hiss - the spiritual arrow flew out, making a sharp whistling sound in the air, moving as fast as lightning, and went straight to Mao An on top of the city.