Zhao Wusheng left the White Tiger Hall, and a group of generals waiting outside gathered around and asked with concern: "General Zhao, what are you doing? What did the Admiral say?"
Zhao Wusheng shook his head. Everyone had already guessed the result from his expression. They all sighed. They had made up their minds when they first joined the army. They wanted to protect their homeland and the country, and they wanted to be shrouded in horse leather. But now that the Yong army is about to invade their own country, they are...
Be a spectator.
A general said angrily: "We go to find the admiral, but we can't hand over the hands of Dongliang County to the Yong people."
An older general sighed and said: "Forget it, this Dongliang County was originally given to us by Dayong."
The general said angrily: "You can talk like that? Dongliang County has been the territory of Dakang since ancient times. It was Dayong who forcibly snatched it from us."
Another person said: "Dayong has robbed more than just one city in Dongliang County. Almost the entire land of Dayong used to belong to Dakang, so what? Now Dakang has been driven to the south of Yongjiang River?"
Everyone stopped talking.
Zhao Wusheng said: "Forget it, the Admiral also has his own difficulties. He is in a bad mood. At this time, we should not seek bad luck." With one sentence, the generals gave up the idea of going to the White Tiger Hall.
After everyone dispersed, Zhao Wusheng stopped one of them: "Yongfu! Let's go have a drink." It was the military commander who was the most excited just now, and he was also Zhao Wusheng's acquaintance.
Li Yongfu and Zhao Wusheng left the Admiral's Mansion together and sat down at a restaurant on the corner of the street. There was famine everywhere in Dakang, and the restaurant's business was also very sluggish. The second floor was empty except for their table of guests. The two called out.
Two side dishes, a jar of wine, and they drank each other, maybe because they were too familiar. Or maybe they were both in a bad mood, and neither of them spoke to each other. They just drank one glass at a time, and the jar of wine seemed to change.
After he had finished eating, Li Yongfu suddenly raised his hand and slapped it hard on the table. The shock made the cups and saucers jump. He gritted his teeth and said, "Damn! I really can't swallow this. I'm being bullied."
They didn’t even dare to say a word at the door. Today it’s Dongliang County, but tomorrow it might be us!”
Zhao Wusheng said nothing and silently filled the wine bowl in front of him. Li Yongfu said: "The Admiral is your uncle. There are some things I shouldn't have said, but his behavior of just protecting himself and not caring about his compatriots is really disappointing.
People’s hearts are cold.”
Zhao Wusheng sighed and said: "In the hearts of most people, Dongliang County is just a piece of land forced by Dayong. It has no strategic value and is like a tasteless piece of land. It is a pity to abandon it if it is tasteless. Just leave it for Dongliang County.
It is unwise to start a war with Dayong, not to mention our current situation. We are no match for them."
Li Yongfu said: "Brother Wu Sheng, we are also seven-foot men. We are also hot-blooded men. We watch the people of our country fall into misery, but we are indifferent. How can we have the face to call ourselves generals of great prosperity? How can we have the face to face the emperor?
?”
Zhao Wusheng said: "Maybe the emperor no longer cares about our loyalty, let alone the suffering of the people." He looked out, and his eyes were full of depression.
Li Yongfu said sadly: "How can our great prosperity be over? First it was Dongliang County, and maybe it will be our turn next. The people's morale has been lost, and the military's morale has also been lost."
Zhao Wusheng said: "Yongfu, would you like to go to Dongliang County for me?"
Li Yongfu's eyes lit up, he nodded and said: "You and I are friends of life and death. Let alone going to Dongliang County, even if I go up to the sword mountain and into the sea of fire, I, Li Yongfu, will never frown."
Zhao Wusheng said: "Every move I make is under the supervision of my uncle, and you are in charge of ship dispatching, which is relatively more convenient."
Li Yongfu said: "What do you want me to talk to him about?"
Zhao Wusheng said: "First of all, we must understand Master Hu's intentions. Does he want to fight or abandon the city and flee? Only by understanding his true intentions can we decide what to do next."
The entire Dongliang County was plunged into unprecedented busyness. Hu Xiaotian gathered the blacksmiths in the city and recruited all the blacksmith shops. As expected, he was immediately opposed by the blacksmiths in the city after the order was promulgated. Hu Xiaotian had no choice but to use extraordinary measures in extraordinary times.
, he ordered the family members of the blacksmiths in the city to be controlled in order to control the blacksmiths to be obedient. Extraordinary means must be used in extraordinary times. The refugees showed greater enthusiasm than the people of Dongliang County in defending the city. With Yu Tianxing
As a father, Yu Dongqing spared no effort in mobilizing the refugees. After setting up the first pontoon bridge with all his strength, the refugees in Dongliang County began to retreat to the south of the Yangtze River.
Although the clouds of war are getting heavier and heavier, few of the aboriginal people in Dongliang County are willing to leave to escape the scourge of the war. One reason is that they are unable to leave their homeland, and another important reason is because most people have deep expectations.
Dayong regained Dongliang County and returned to Dayong's territory.
Zan Buliu's arrival somewhat surprised Hu Xiaotian. He thought Zan Buliu had left Dongliang County, but he didn't expect that he had never left. This time, businessman Hu Zhongyang came with Zan Buliu.
Although Hu Xiaotian and Hu Zhongyang both had the surname Hu, there was no closeness between them. When Hu Xiaotian took office, he disbanded the escort team headed by Hu Zhongyang, giving this group of Dongliang County businessmen a disincentive, and disregarding the rights of these businessmen.
Opposed and took in 30,000 refugees.
When Hu Xiaotian saw the two of them coming together, he immediately understood that the friend Zan Buliu mentioned in Dongliang County was Hu Zhongyang.
After greetings, Hu Xiaotian invited the two of them to take a seat. Zan Buliu said with a smile: "Sir Hu, when we went to Xiasha Harbor just now, we saw that a pontoon bridge has been built over the Yongjiang River, and refugees have begun to move to the south bank."
Hu Xiaotian said: "Tang Boxi of Nanyang Water Village has given us an ultimatum. The army will be approaching the city soon. In order to avoid casualties, I mobilized the refugees to evacuate." He said to Hu Zhongyang, who was frowning at the side: "Actually, I am the same.
The people in the city were mobilized, but unfortunately most of them were extremely resistant to the evacuation and were unwilling to leave Dongliang County."
Hu Zhongyang said: "If there is a chance, who would be willing to leave their hometown? If they want to leave, they left when Dayong gave Dongliang County to Dakang. Why wait until now?"
Hu Xiaotian said to Zan Buliu: "I thought Brother Zan had left long ago, but I didn't expect you to still stay in the city. I have been busy evacuating the people these days and did not bother to greet Brother Zan. Please forgive me for my neglect."
Zan Buliu said: "I came here this time to say goodbye to Mr. Hu. In fact, Tang Boxi and I are old acquaintances. I plan to go to Nanyang Water Village to persuade him to give up the idea of attacking Dongliang County."
Hu Xiaotian said: "I accept Brother Zan's wishes, but Tang Boxi is coming very aggressively this time. He clearly wants to capture Dongliang County and give it to Dayong Xinjun as a gift. I'm afraid no one will listen to what he says."
Zan Buliu asked: "Master Hu, does he know that Tang Boxi has 50,000 elite navy troops under his command?"
Hu Xiaotian sighed and deliberately put on a sad face. Although Zan Buliu had shown kindness to him many times, this person was a Dayong businessman after all, so it was hard to tell what his position was. He couldn't tell him his true intentions.
.
Zan Buliu said: "Zan said something unpleasant, why does Mr. Hu insist on obsessing? There is such a disparity in strength between the two sides. Does Mr. Hu really want to fight him head-on?"
Hu Xiaotian said: "Although he has 50,000 elite soldiers, it is not that easy to break through the city wall of Dongliang County." He deliberately revealed this information to make Zan Buliu think that he would not leave the city.
Zan Buliu did not continue to persuade him, and nodded and said: "I will go to Nanyang Water Village right away. I hope Tang Boxi can give me some face, and maybe save the people from the disaster of this war."
Hu Xiaotian said: "Brother Zan, there is no need to do such a futile thing."
Zan Buliu bowed his hands to him and stood up to say goodbye.
Hu Xiaotian sent him out, Zan Buliu left, but Hu Zhongyang did not leave. He said to Hu Xiaotian: "Master Hu, are you really determined to defend the city?"
Hu Xiaotian said: "You can't give Dongliang County to Tang Boxi in vain."
Hu Zhongyang said: "Since your lord is determined to defend the city, Zhongyang wants to give you something, which may be of some help to you."
Hu Xiaotian was startled. Hu Zhongyang came to give him something to help him defend the city. He smiled and said, "What is it?"
Hu Zhongyang looked around. Hu Xiaotian knew what he was thinking and invited him back to his room. Hu Zhongyang then took out an album from his arms and handed it to Hu Xiaotian. Hu Xiaotian unfolded the album and turned to the first page.
I saw a trebuchet. I couldn't help but feel shocked. In fact, Hu Xiaotian had been thinking about the trebuchet for the past two days. He had already drawn a sketch based on his impression and was about to let the craftsmen do it. Unfortunately, his previous major was not mechanical engineering. Here,
I'm not particularly good at it, I guess it won't be difficult to build, but it's hard to guarantee its power.
Hu Xiaotian said: "Trebuchet?"
Hu Zhongyang said: "This is different from ordinary trebuchets. This album was also bought at a high price when I traveled across the ocean to do business."
Hu Xiaotian turned back and saw that there were several types of trebuchets, as well as siege crossbows, ladders, battering rams and other large war equipment. Hu Xiaotian could not hide his excitement. This album was definitely priceless.
Hu Zhongyang actually took it out at such a time, which shows that this person's heart is really towards prosperity.
Hu Xiaotian said: "Brother Zhongyang, this atlas of yours is too precious. I will have the craftsmen build it right away." Think about it, if we can hurry up and make a few trebuchets, we can attack Dayong from a long distance.
With the warship, wouldn’t our side have a better chance of winning? I’m excited just thinking about it.
Hu Zhongyang said: "You don't need to find craftsmen to rush the work. In fact, I have already had some done before."
Hu Xiaotian was stunned, dear Li Gelong, this master is really powerful, dare to show me more than just the map, he has the goods in stock. A businessman! He is indeed a businessman! There are rare goods to live in, want to take advantage of it? Take advantage of this moment to sell it.
The price is grandma’s, buy it! I’ll buy this extremely lethal weapon no matter how much it costs, Hu Xiaotian said: “How many does Brother Zhongyang have?”
Hu Zhongyang said: "Ten trebuchets and six siege crossbows!"
Hu Xiaotian's voice trembled with excitement: "How much, Brother Zhongyang just asks for the price!" (To be continued.)
