Zhang Yanling frowned and thought quickly. At this time, the decision was of life and death and must not be taken lightly.
"Your Majesty, the Upper North Road protrudes too far into the Tatar territory. The Tatars have already determined that they are here for the Emperor. It is not wise to break out from any direction at this moment. I believe that we must immediately send someone to send a message for help and notify the Xuanfu
The town's army came to the rescue. Before that, I'm afraid the only way is to hold on to Dushi City." Zhang Yanling said.
"Stick here?" Zhu Houzhao said in shock.
"Master Marquis, how can we hold on to this place? How can we hold on to this small one-stone city? Let me tell you, there are tens of thousands of Tatars invading from the south, and there are tens of thousands of enemies here. We can hold nearly 20,000 enemies.
Stay?" Liu Jin asked hurriedly.
"We must defend even if we can't hold it. This is the only way. We must immediately order Zhang Xiong to withdraw from the city. The north wall is absolutely undefendable. All troops must be withdrawn into Dushi City. Including the people in the city, we have three thousand
There are many people. The defenses of Dushi City are strong, and there are still some grain and grass supplies in the city. As long as we can hold on for ten or eight days, reinforcements will arrive and the Tatars will retreat." Zhang Yanling said solemnly.
"Hold on for ten days and eight days? Can you hold it? There is such a disparity in military strength." Zhu Houzhao murmured.
Liu Jin said: "Master Hou, what if we go directly west through the Tatar territory and go to the Upper West Road? Maybe we can escape."
Zhang Yanling shouted: "Eunuch Liu, please stop making random ideas at this time. Do you want the emperor to die? Entering Tatar territory? Could it be that you are being chased by Tatar cavalry? This is a mountainous place, and the Tatars
The cavalry has no use yet. Once we cross the city wall to the west, we will see a large area of grassland and desert, and it is in the territory of the Tatars. Isn't it just playing into their ambitions?"
Liu Jin blushed, smacked her lips and said nothing.
"There is no need to hesitate. Immediately order Zhang Xiong to return to the city with his troops and horses. Close the city gates, organize supplies, and prepare to defend the city. Without further delay, please make a quick decision whether to leave or stay." Zhang Yanling said to Zhu Houzhao with his hands in hand.
Zhu Houzhao was silent for a moment, looked at the people around him, and finally sighed and said: "That's all, I will listen to my uncle. I want to leave now, but I can't. Instead of doing this, it is better to stick here and fight to the death with the Tatars."
Zhang Yanling nodded and said: "Your Majesty, I and others will swear to the death to protect the Emperor's safety. Now that we have decided to stick to this place, we must make all preparations, obey orders, and obey orders. In order to coordinate the battle and unify orders, I suggest that the Emperor designate someone
Lead all the troops and horses to facilitate coordinated command. To avoid giving too many orders and causing confusion."
Liu Jin said: "The emperor's unified command is yours. The emperor is wise and powerful, and is familiar with military books..."
Zhu Houzhao waved his hand and shouted: "I can't. I think it's better for my uncle to take charge of the defense of the city. I think my uncle is more suitable."
Zhang Yanling said: "Since the emperor trusts me, I will not refuse. I will do my duty. But I must make it clear that since I lead the army, everyone must obey my orders, including the Han general's guard camp, the soldiers and horses of Dushi City, and the generals must obey
Follow your orders without questioning, shirk or disobey. I ask the emperor to give me this right."
Zhu Houzhao nodded and said: "Uncle, I am issuing an edict that you are allowed to take full command of the troops and horses here. From me down, everyone will obey your command."
Zhang Yanling hurriedly saluted and said loudly: "I thank the emperor for your trust. Then, from now on, I will do my duty."
Zhang Yanling quickly issued a series of orders. First, he ordered people to go out of the city and order Zhang Xiong to lead his troops back to the city immediately and abandon the northern pass. In fact, before Zhang Xiong and others arrived at Xifengkou, Xifengkou had already been defeated. Dozens of people died at Xifengkou.
The remaining soldiers had already fled back. When Zhang Yanling sent someone to deliver the order, Zhang Xiong and others had actually fled to the vicinity of Dushi City.
After Zhang Xiong's more than 2,000 soldiers returned to the city, Zhang Yanling immediately ordered the north and south gates to be closed, and everyone began to carry supplies to the city to prepare for the defense.
At the same time, Zhang Yanling sent three cavalry teams. One was to ask for help from the nearest Longmen Guard in the south, one was to go to Juyongguan for help, and the third was a reconnaissance team to detect traces of Tatar soldiers and horses in the south.
During the first update, Zhang Yanling held a meeting of officers above the flag officer level and informed them of the situation at hand and the decision to stick to Dushi City and wait for reinforcements. Amidst the panic-stricken eyes, Zhang Yanling announced three military disciplines.
1. Don’t be afraid of death. Kill!
2. Anyone who disobeys orders will be killed!
3. Anyone who shakes the morale of the army will be killed!
At the same time, tasks were assigned. Zhang Yin led 800 soldiers to guard the north wall of Dushi City. General Wu Qian, deputy commander of the Han Dynasty, led 800 soldiers to guard the south gate. General Zhang Xiong led 300 soldiers to guard the east wall. A man named
Qin Zhong's frontier army, Qianhu, led 300 men to guard the west city wall. Of the remaining 400 soldiers, Chen Shiyi led 300 as mobile troops and supervisory troops, and the remaining 100 stayed with Zhu Houzhao to protect him.
Dushi City only has two gates in the north and south, so the north and south gates are heavily guarded, and only a few hundred soldiers can be stationed on the walls on both sides. Once the battle starts, mobile troops can support at any time, and the walls can coordinate with each other to reinforce each other according to orders.
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The people in Dushi City also began to mobilize. A team of more than 500 people was organized to assist in the defense of the city, assisting in carrying bows and arrows for the defense of the city, and rescuing the injured. Hundreds of women and children were responsible for preparing meals and drinking water in case of fierce fighting.
The soldiers can have full stomachs.
The entire Dushi City was mobilized. The total number of soldiers and civilians in the city was only five thousand. Everyone except the old, weak and children were mobilized. Everyone knew in their hearts that this was a moment of life and death.
At the second watch, Zhang Yanling, who was reporting to Zhu Houzhao on the distribution and arrangement of the defending troops, received news from the North City. Zhang Yin ordered someone to report that the Tatar troops and horses had arrived outside the valley at the north gate of Dushi City.
When Zhang Yanling accompanied Zhu Houzhao to the north gate tower, in the vast darkness under the city before them, long dragons with torches were coming out of the valley to the north and gathering in the mountains outside the city gate. Tatar soldiers and horses seemed to
Not bothering to cover up their whereabouts, they arrived at the city in such a swagger.
Soon, all the Tatar soldiers and horses gathered under the city, and then piles of bonfires were lit. Soon the valley below was filled with bonfires. The Tatar soldiers and horses sat around the bonfire and began to cook food, talking and laughing loudly.
The night wind carried the aroma of the food and their chatter and laughter to the top of the city. On top of the city, Zhu Houzhao and more than a thousand people silently looked at the Tatar soldiers and horses below the city, and they all fell into silence.
"There are so many enemies, what should we do? After they have eaten and drank enough, I am afraid they will attack. Uncle, can we really defend this place?" Zhu Houzhao murmured.
Zhang Yanling said in a deep voice: "Your Majesty, we have no choice but to defend this road to the death. We don't need to think too much now. What we have to consider is to defend it with all our strength. Unless the Emperor is willing to become a prisoner of the Tatars."
"I do not deserve to be a prisoner. Even if I die in battle, I do not deserve to be a prisoner. If I are captured, it will be the shame of the Ming Dynasty. I cannot become the Huizong Qinzong of Zhao and Song Dynasty, being tortured and humiliated to death.
"Zhu Houzhao said loudly.
"Well said. Your Majesty, my Ming Dynasty is definitely not Zhao and Song, and will never compromise with the Tatars. Please rest assured, Your Majesty, it may not be impossible to defend. If the minister has confidence, the Emperor must also have confidence. The Emperor has confidence, soldiers
Only then can I have confidence. Your Majesty
To maintain a high-spirited demeanor, all soldiers need the emperor's encouragement and motivation. I believe that with the emperor in charge, everyone working together, and united efforts, they will be able to hold on here until reinforcements arrive." Zhang Yanling said solemnly.
Zhu Houzhao slowly straightened his back and his eyes became determined. Zhang Yanling's words gave him encouragement and fighting spirit. A fifteen-year-old boy has never experienced the baptism of wind and rain. It is normal to feel fear when facing danger, but his character
His rebellion and courage are also indelible. He has always had a dream in his heart to be able to leap on a horse and kill enemies on the battlefield. Today, this flame was ignited with the encouragement of Zhang Yanling.
"Don't worry, uncle, I will fight with you. No matter what the outcome is, I will not back down. Liu Jin!"
"My slave is here!" Liu Jin said hurriedly.
"I have something to tell you. If the Tatars break this city and attack us, and we are unable to resist, I want you to give me a hard time. I cannot be captured by them. I would rather die than be captured by them," Zhu Houzhao said.
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"Your Majesty..." Liu Jin shouted tremblingly.
"This is my will and must not be violated. Do you hear me?" Zhu Houzhao shouted.
Liu Jin shed tears and felt very regretful. If he had known what happened, he should not have encouraged the emperor to patrol the border. He should not have ignored Zhang Yanling's reminders along the way and the advice of others.
"Your Majesty, this slave cannot obey the order. This slave is determined to die in front of the Emperor. If the Tatars attack the city, I will use my body to block the Emperor's sword." Liu Jin shouted.
Zhu Houzhao scolded: "You bastard, you dare to resist the order."
Zhang Yanling said from the side: "Your Majesty, don't explain these things. We haven't fought yet and the outcome has not yet been determined. How can we say such things? Your Majesty must firmly believe that we will win. From now on, no one should say anything that shakes the morale of the army. Your Majesty is worried about being captured.
If so, I will help the Emperor. When that moment comes, I will first free the Emperor, and then commit suicide."
Zhu Houzhao nodded and said: "Okay, uncle, let me help you. Now, we have to prepare for the battle. I haven't put on my armor yet, so I will go back and put on my armor and swords to defend the city."
Zhang Yanling smiled and said: "The emperor just needs to go back and have a good sleep. Not only the emperor, but everyone can have a peaceful sleep tonight. The Tatars will not attack tonight."
Everyone was surprised and asked: "Why?"
Zhang Yanling looked at Zhang Yin beside him and said with a smile: "Zhang Qianhu, tell the emperor why the Tatars will not attack tonight?"
Zhang Yin nodded and said in a deep voice: "The Tatars only have about 10,000 people. The northern part of Dushi City is in a dangerous terrain. They know that we also have thousands of soldiers and horses defending the city. With these 10,000 people attacking the city, there is absolutely no possibility of breaking the city. On the contrary,
Dead and wounded in vain. Therefore, they have to wait until tomorrow to see clearly the weakness of Monolith City.
If they want more stability, they will wait for the 10,000 soldiers and horses from the south to arrive and form a siege, and then attack the city in an all-out way to have a complete chance of victory. What they hope most now is that we will be scared and run away.
It would be most beneficial to them to go out and hunt them down in the mountains and wilderness."
Everyone suddenly realized. It is indeed true. Only when the siege troops and horses are several times the enemy's have an advantage. Monolithic City is such a strong city, and ten thousand troops and horses are not enough to fully surround and attack. There is no chance of victory, but it will lose troops and disrupt the plan. Wait for the soldiers from the south
The horses arrived, and 20,000 troops surrounded the city. With a huge military advantage, they could surround and attack fiercely from all sides, and then they could succeed with one blow.
"That's good, that's the reason. So, you all can have a good sleep. This may also be the last peaceful sleep we get." Zhang Yanling chuckled.
The heroes saw the same thing, and Zhang Yin's answer was exactly the result of Zhang Yanling's analysis.
"Master Marquis, the Tatars are unwilling to attack tonight, but Beizhi doesn't want to be idle tonight. So Beizhi has a bold idea..." Zhang Yin said in a deep voice.
Zhang Yanling looked at Zhang Yin in shock. Zhang Yin's eyes were shining, and he looked eager to try.