Xu Shu's troops approached the city, Gan Ning led his troops into Qingzhou, and Linzi was already in a storm.
After Cao Ang got the news, he knew something was wrong, so he summoned the gentry in the city. His eyes swept over the gentry in the hall, and he said in a deep voice: "The Shu army is rampant and ferocious, and half of Qingzhou has fallen. Now the Shu army is approaching the city, and the situation is critical.
. I have called all the princes here just to use your talents and ask for your opinions."
These words were spoken with sincerity, and they were even asking for help.
What is very strange is that Xia Houyuan and Zang Ba are standing at the door of the hall, both holding weapons, looking at the people in the hall like knives, with a faint murderous intention.
"Your Highness, I am willing to help defend the city."
Suddenly, an old man sitting in the front row spoke up.
This man's name is Duan Xuan, a merchant in Linzi City. Duan Xuan was poor when he was young, but he has a business acumen. He has made a fortune by relying on his own ability, and is the richest man in Linzi City. Especially Duan Xuan has raised a fortune
Thousands of private soldiers are all brave and fierce, which also makes Cao Ang coveted.
Cao Ang asked calmly: "I wonder if Mr. Duan plans to help Gu resist the Shu army?"
Duan Xuan said simply: "I will mobilize 1,500 servants from home to help His Highness defend the city."
"good!"
Cao Ang repeatedly touched his palms, with an excited look on his face, and said: "Mr. Duan helped Wei Guo, Gu will not forget Duan Lao's feelings today. After defeating the Shu army and stabilizing the situation, Gu Ding should send a message to his father, please
Father, I will give Mr. Duan a title."
Duan Xuan bowed and said: "Thank you so much, Your Highness the Crown Prince!"
The conversation between the two was heard in the hall and immediately caused a commotion. Duan Xuan had high prestige in Linzi and was the leader of the merchants. When he spoke, the merchants around him spoke out one after another.
"Your Highness, I am willing to dispatch five hundred servants to help Your Highness defend the city."
"Your Highness, I am willing to dispatch eight hundred guards to help Your Highness defend against the enemy."
"Your Highness,...,"
In the main hall, the voices of wealthy gentry and merchants could be heard one after another.
One or two people appeared willing to help Cao Ang, and soon more than ten people appeared. Finally, the gentry sitting in the hall could not refuse. No matter what the situation was, some people had to be allocated to assist Cao Ang. Just imagine, more and more people
People agree that once there is any uncoordinated sound, it is easy to be dealt with by Cao Ang.
In this way, Cao Ang easily completed the task of deploying private soldiers from the wealthy gentry to defend the city.
After careful calculation, there were actually 20,000 private soldiers.
Such a force would definitely be a great help to Cao Ang who was guarding Linzi. After everyone dispersed, Cao Ang, Xia Houyuan and Zang Ba were the only ones left in the hall.
The smile on Cao Ang's face disappeared, replaced by a haggard face. He looked at Xia Houyuan and said: "Grand Governor, although we have temporarily recruited more than 20,000 private soldiers to defend the city, Xu Shu's army is about to attack the city, and there are also Gan Ning and
The army led by Tai Shi Ci is coming, it may be difficult to defend!"
Xia Houyuan said: "No matter what, His Highness has tried his best."
Zang Ba said: "Your Majesty, Grand Governor, although the wealthy gentry have generously helped, 20,000 people have been deployed to defend the city. However, these people belong to their respective families, so it may not be easy to dispatch them."
Cao Ang said: "It doesn't matter. Our army is responsible for resisting the siege of the city. The more than 20,000 people deployed are responsible for carrying weapons and supplies. When necessary, they can assist the soldiers under the city to guard the city gate."
After hearing this, Xia Houyuan and Zang Ba nodded.
…
After Duan Xuan returned home by car, eight more wealthy gentry came to visit him.
In the study, Duan Xuan wore a black robe and sat cross-legged. His eyes passed over the people sitting in the study and asked: "Everyone, what do you want to see me for?"
"Mr. Duan, are you really planning to go all the way with the Cao family?" The person who spoke was named Kong He. He was a powerful man, but he was bold and careful.
Duan Xuanxiao asked: "Kong He, what do you think?"
Kong He glanced at the people around him and said: "Everyone here knows the truth and is in the same boat. I won't hide it. Everyone knows that Cao Cao is trapped in Yecheng, Gan Ning and
Taishi Ci also led his army to capture Yanzhou, and entered Qingzhou, and will soon arrive at Linzi. As for Xu Shu outside the city, let alone, everyone knows it."
"The situation of the Shu army has matured, and the destruction of Cao Cao is a certainty."
"At this time, we are still standing on the Cao family's boat. Do you want to destroy your family and be buried with the Cao family? Mr. Duan, you are the leader of our Linzi City. Whatever you say, we will do it.
But now the Cao family is about to be destroyed, and following Cao Ang’s son, I’m afraid we will definitely lose.”
After Kong He's words came out, everyone in the study all agreed. With one glance and one word, everyone thought that they should not follow Cao Ang to resist the Shu army.
Duan Xuan asked: "You don't want to follow Cao Ang, so why do you agree in the hall?"
Kong He replied: "Mr. Duan, it's not like you didn't know the situation at that time. If we rejected Cao Ang, I'm afraid Xia Houyuan and Zang Ba would tear us apart on the spot."
Duan Xuan smiled when he heard this, with a look of approval on his old face.
Kong He lost his voice and said: "Mr. Duan, did you agree to Cao Ang on purpose?"
Duan Xuan nodded and said slowly: "I have lived for most of my life. Although my eyes are dim, my brain is not confused. I know what should be done? What should not be done? At present, we are under Cao Ang's control, so we must naturally follow it.
Cao Ang, otherwise there will be danger. Cao Ang thought we agreed to him, but he didn't know that there is a blessing in the blessing."
Kong He asked: "Mr. Duan, what do you mean?"
Duan Xuan's eyes suddenly turned cold and indifferent, and he said: "Send a message to the people of the major families and ask them to follow Cao Ang's instructions. Wait until our people start to defend the city, and then open the city gate to welcome the Shu army into the city.
"
Kong He said happily: "Okay, we will notify others."
People in the study spoke out one after another and were willing to follow Duan Xuan's lead.
For these merchants and wealthy gentry, what they value is their interests and their own families. Cao Ang's life or death has nothing to do with them, and they have no burden in plotting against Cao Ang.
Kong He suddenly frowned and asked, "Mr. Duan, how should we contact the Shu army?"
Duan Xuan said: "I will contact you, you just need to coordinate well."
After Kong He and others heard this, they looked at Duan Xuan with admiration, and were secretly surprised in their hearts. They secretly said that Duan Xuan was old and hot. They did not stay long and left Duan's house quickly.
Duan Xuan sat alone in the study, called the housekeeper, and whispered some instructions.
The sun sets in the west and the sky gradually gets late.
Suddenly, a pigeon flew up in the sky and flew out of the city.
In the Shu army camp, in the Chinese army's tent, Xu Shu summoned Zhou Tai and Zhu Huan to discuss matters. At this time, news suddenly came from the city. Xu Shu quickly read the news, with a bright smile on his face, and said: "
General Zhou, General Zhu, and the wealthy gentry in the city are willing to open the city gates to welcome us into the city, and it will be much easier to attack Qingzhou now."
Zhu Huan said in a deep voice: "Captain Xu, is there any fraud?"
Xu Shu said: "There can be no deceit. Our army has failed, and there is also Gan Ning's army. They dare not act recklessly. Otherwise, if Gan Ning comes to kill them, will these people's lives be easy? Besides, everyone can see the situation of the Wei army.
It can be concluded that the wealthy gentry in the city are all human beings and will not hang themselves on the big tree of Wei."
Zhou Tai geared up and said, "Grand Governor, when will you prepare to attack the city?"
Xu Shu said: "It will take at least half a day for Cao Ang to summon the private soldiers of the wealthy gentry in the city. We will rest for a day and a half and start attacking the city early the next morning."
Zhou Tai cupped his fists and said, "Okay, attack the city the day after tomorrow."