The soldiers and horses in western Zhejiang did not invade Huainan Road, but the Fucheng villages and towns located on the border were well prepared for war.
There are no more bustling pedestrians on the road, and all the merchants and shanties near the city wall have disappeared, turning into a flat place where troops can line up. In the outer city gathering place built around the inner city, people have also moved their families and families into the city.
The shack where they originally lived was demolished, leaving potholes everywhere.
On top of the potholes, a group of children carrying baskets on their backs ran and sprinkled a patch of caltrops.
In the future, this will be a line of defense for the rebels when they attack the city.
And it doesn’t take much effort, effort, or manpower to do this. A group of children is enough.
Standing on the high city wall, Zhang Qing nodded with satisfaction. After his efforts... of course, mainly because of his good brother Lian Xiaojun's status in front of Mrs. Chu, he was assigned to take charge of a city.
Taking charge of the city is much more difficult than before. Daily affairs are handled by civil servants, but for population verification, punishment of disciplinary violations, expulsion of criminals judged to be rioters, etc., he needs to bring troops and horses to do it. Although he does not dare to complain,
But I feel really annoyed...
Isn't the most important thing in such troubled times to train troops and prepare horses? Why bother with these trivial trivial things all day long? Now he understands what the use of these trivial trivial trivial things is. With one order, it only took half a day to clear the country.
There was no confusion when so many people poured into the city at once. According to the original divisions, A, B, C and D were quickly assigned and placed in different streets and alleys.
The outer city that was originally used to house the people turned into a trench line of defense in an instant.
Everything has rules and the people are used to it. Although the atmosphere is tense, there is no chaos in the city.
Zhang Qing withdrew his gaze from the city and looked far ahead. A hundred miles away was the border of western Zhejiang.
"Is there anything unusual?" he asked the deputy general.
The deputy general nodded and reconfirmed the latest intelligence report: "The rebels here are stationed in the city and have not passed through us."
Zhang Qing breathed a sigh of relief and said happily: "I know when I think about it, they don't dare to mess with us."
After all, he was once one of them.
But it’s not the case now. We can’t be greedy for life and afraid of death. Zhang Qing glanced at the deputy general beside him, put away his joy and said solemnly: “It’s just the soldiers and people of Jiangnan Road who are in trouble.”
He looked forward, grasped the waist knife, and immediately rushed to Jiangnan Road to kill the enemy in person as soon as he received the order.
"Hasn't Mrs. Chu ordered our support yet?"
The lieutenant said: "No."
Zhang Qing held the knife and said solemnly: "Madam must be rushing to help Linzhou to kill the enemy."
Everyone thought so, and many people talked about old things.
"When the late emperor died, Ankang Mountain rebelled, King Zhao of Lu was attacked and besieged, Governor Wu led an army of 100,000 to Linzhou, and the lady of Chu rushed to Yizhou to rescue King Zhao."
"At that time, Governor Wu was close to Linzhou, and Mrs. Chu was close to Yizhou. The husband and wife divided their labors and worked together. Although King Zhao was unfortunately killed, King Lu was rescued in time."
"This time, Governor Wu is far away in Xiangzhou and cannot come to his aid. Of course, Mrs. Chu will shoulder the important task."
Not only did they talk about old things, but everyone also anticipated the outcome.
"The leader of the army, King Zheng, is the son of Ankang Mountain. Last time, there was also a son of Ankang Mountain who came to Huainan Road and was killed by the Lady of Chu."
"This time this one will definitely be killed by Mrs. Chu."
Everyone was clearly aware of the war situation, and the latest developments were posted in front of the yamen of every city. Although there were strict checks on entry and exit, curfews, and galloping troops and horses, the people on the streets were going about their business calmly, drinking tea and talking about world affairs.
Everyone agreed that Mrs. Chu rushed to Linzhou to aid Linzhou and that Mrs. Chu would definitely win. However, some people also had some worries.
If Mrs. Chu rushes to Linzhou to aid, she will definitely take away many soldiers and horses. Will Huainan Road be dangerous? After all, it is close to the Andezhong rebels in western Zhejiang.
This person reminded everyone of the uneasiness hidden in their hearts, but they couldn't think of how to resolve it. Finally, someone said, "We thought of it, Mrs. Chu Guo couldn't think of it! Mrs. Chu Guo will definitely have arrangements." Everyone suddenly realized that since the Chu State
Since Madam has made arrangements, everything will be worry-free, and they can continue to happily discuss the upcoming Linzhou war.
Compared with the relief of the people in Huainan Road who could not see Mrs. Chu, Wang Li, who was sitting in the courtyard of Mrs. Chu, had a face as heavy as the bottom of a pot.
"When can I see Madam?" he asked the child sitting in front of him holding a bowl of steamed pears.
The kid is actually not too young, about ten years old, about the same age as Wu Xiao.
Wearing a fur coat, he stood on the stove under his feet. The bowl he held in his hand was as white as snow, and there was a streak of red on the edge of the bowl. This bowl looked more delicious than pears.
The child carefully dug out the pear flesh with a small spoon, bit it in his mouth and mumbled: "I don't know. Madam is busy."
Wang Li was tired of hearing these two sentences, and he was tired of saying the request: "Go and ask."
Although the child gave the same answers, he never refused the customer's request. He bit his spoon and nodded, put down the bowl and left. Then he picked up the spoon and stuffed the pears into his mouth in two mouthfuls...
Wang Li glared angrily: "I won't eat your food!"
The child finished the pear and wiped his mouth: "I know, I know." After saying that, he ran away.
Wang Li held the empty bowl with only the pear skin left, and wanted to throw it away... It must be very expensive. He put it back and looked at the small spoon in the bowl. Was it gold?
Really? Just eat a pear...
Wang Li couldn't help but pick it up, put it to his mouth and bit the spoon...
"Ha!" the child's shout came, accompanied by the stomping footsteps, "Look! You really know how to eat secretly!"
Wang Li was ashamed and angry, and threw the spoon back into the bowl. He couldn't explain it. The adults and children in this den of thieves were so annoying.
Fortunately, the next thing the child said was not so annoying: "My wife is back and wants to see you."
Wang Li stood up and kicked off the soft cushions under him, strode along the corridor, stopped when he reached the child, and said solemnly: "Do you know Wu Xiao?"
The kid nodded with bright eyes: "I know, I know, the bed I'm sleeping on now is the same bed that Brother Xiao slept on."
Wang Lidao: "Wu Xiao is now able to run three cities in one go while riding a horse and holding a big sword in his hand. His hands are covered with frostbite, and his face is roughened by the wind. Do you know that he is well fed and clothed every day?"
How was your life?"
The child did not feel any shame and said loudly: "Brother Xiao has lived a life like mine before, and I will live a life like Brother Xiao in the future."
Wang Li sighed, not interested in arguing with the child anymore, and stomped away to where Mrs. Chu was.
Li Minglou had just come back from outside. He hadn't taken off his cloak yet. Jin Jue caressed Li Minglou's face and whispered, "It's so cold, it's frozen into ice cubes."
She asked Li Minglou to take a hot bath immediately, otherwise he would get sick.
Wang Li sneered on the side, he got sick because he was too cold.
Li Minglou comforted Jinju: "Just a bowl of hot soup is enough."
Jin Jue responded and hurriedly went to prepare it himself. Wang Li passed by and asked him if he wanted it: "General Wang, your face doesn't look good either."
Even though this maid was more beautiful than the concubine of Zhou Jun, the commander-in-chief of the Zhenwu Army, Wang Li did not soften his voice and said coldly: "No need."
Jin Jue pouted and left, and Li Minglou asked Wang Li to sit down.
"Madam, have you read the Governor's letter?" Wang Li asked directly without sitting down.
While Wu Ya'er replied to the private letter to Emperor Linzhou, he also wrote a private letter to Mrs. Chu.
A smile appeared on Li Minglou's cold face: "I read it and I have memorized the content."
Then she recited it to Wang Li.
Different from comforting the emperor, Wu Ya'er explained to her why he could not support Linzhou.
Because Ankangshan's intention is not with Linzhou, but with him.
Ankangshan was staring at him, and General Shi Chao, who was stationed in Pinglu to replace An Shouzhong, was also staring at him.
The troops attacking Linzhou were actually not that many, and the heavy troops were not in the vanguard but in the rear, in order to be able to return to defense at any time.
"In fact, as long as we hold on, nothing will happen to Linzhou. If we fight and lose, it will inevitably cause chaos, shake the morale of the army, and most likely collapse thousands of miles."
"But, I said it is easy to hold on, but it is difficult to do it in Linzhou. After all, the knife is right in front of you."
"Linzhou and the rebels will definitely fight."
"So, in order to prevent Linzhou from falling into danger, I must go and fight Ankang Mountain."
"I will not borrow troops from you for this battle. I would like to ask you to support Linzhou. First, it can prevent Linzhou from falling into chaos. Second, it can intercept the rebels from returning to defense. Third, it can also increase the prestige of our Zhenwu Army in the DPRK.
, to resolve the villain’s rumors and hatred.”
After reaching this point, Li Minglou smiled again and said, where are we?
You, me and Wang Li didn't pay attention to this detail. He knew the content, so there was no need for Li Minglou to recite it to him word for word.
"Madam, have you thought about it?" He raised his eyebrows and asked, "If we delay any longer, the battle will be over."
"You don't need to think about this matter. I'm just arranging troops and horses these days." Li Minglou took out a letter from his sleeve, "I'm going to leave immediately. I've also written a reply to the governor. Please ask General Wang
Go back as soon as possible, this battle depends on the governor to contain Ankang Mountain, so don’t waste the opportunity to fight."
It's good that you know this. This is another great contribution that Wu Ya'er gave you. Wang Li put the letter into his chest and stood up to leave. He still couldn't help but complain: "Of course I want to go back as soon as possible, but my wife has not been seen for a long time.
"
What this woman said was nice. I don’t know how many pros and cons she considered before making a decision. She delayed him for so long. Instead, she accused him of delaying the fight.
Wang Li took the letter and galloped away while holding back his anger. At the same time, Jiang Liang galloped back on horseback.
"Madam, are you going to discuss the battle of Linzhou?" He asked as soon as he entered the door, "What did the governor say?"
"The governor said that he could not return to defense because he would be attacked by Ankang Mountain, so he asked us to rush to Linzhou's aid." Li Minglou said.
Although he was busy collecting gifts in Xuanwu Road... No, he was busy reorganizing the government, settling officials, and appeasing the people's livelihood. Jiang Liang also heard rumors about Wu Ya'er, saying that he was self-respecting and as timid as a mouse.
Willing to return to Fanglinzhou.
Whether this rumor confuses the enemy or really angers the court, it is not a good reputation for Wu Ya'er. Only a big victory or other back-up arrangements can prove his innocence and regain his glory.
If he doesn't come by himself, asking his wife to go is considered a back-up arrangement.
Jiang Liang nodded: "This will be beneficial to both the governor and us. The credit belongs to us, and it can also eliminate the bad reputation of the governor's disobedience. It can be said that the husband and wife are of the same mind..."
Li Minglou interrupted him: "I decided not to go."
Jiang Liang pulled off a piece of his beard and hissed twice, unable to speak.