The city had been silent for nearly three months. The golden drums were shouting. Countless soldiers in armor and swords rushed to the top of the city one after another, setting up shields and holding crossbows, boiling gold juice, clearing the snow on the wooden rocks, etc., each performing his duties. Duty, prepare for the enemy to attack the city.
Wei Ping, who had been sleeping on the top of the city, was now holding on to the crenellations of the city wall and looking into the distance.
The heavy snowflakes blinded the eyes, and all they could see was a black line rising slowly on the vast white field in the distance. There were no towering siege engines, stone cannons or wells and other equipment, and the marching speed was extremely slow.
The number of people was quite large, roughly estimated to be no less than tens of thousands.
It also made Wei Ping look at it with deep frown.
His rebellion against Shu is really weird.
Previously, the army came in overwhelming force and did not attack the city when it was full of vigor. But now it is snowing heavily and the soldiers are unable to move easily before attacking. How strange!
Could it be that Ni Shu discovered some flaws in our army?
Wei Ping drooped his eyes slightly, put his hand on his gray beard, and pondered secretly about the recent arrangements.
But I can't figure it out.
Soon, he no longer had to explain it.
Because the Han army is not here to attack the city.
The first ones to be identified were about three thousand cavalry.
It can be distinguished from the clothing and military appearance that they are Xiliang cavalry and the rebellious Hu people Zhiwudai and Baihuwen. They slowly drove five or six thousand empty-saddle war horses around the city like herds. OK.
Seeing this scene, Wei Ping realized something and closed his eyes and sighed.
The Han army had occupied Longyou for only a few years, and they would not have had so many war horses; even if they had, they would not have driven them all here to show off their power.
The only explanation is that the Hexi Allied Forces were defeated.
Sure enough, after the cavalry left, several well-organized Han infantry units escorted thousands of prisoners forward, shouting in unison.
say:
"Listen to the truth, soldiers in the city, your reinforcements from Hexi have been defeated by my big Han, and Jincheng is now alone! If Yan Ban abandons his troops and surrenders, I, my Han, will not be blamed and will not do anything wrong! Moreover, if the land is evenly divided and the registered households are equal, your livelihood will be ruined. Que. But if you are stubborn and refuse to resist the king's army, until the city is conquered, all those who fight will be registered as disciples and slaves according to their household records, and the whole family will be guilty of the same crime!"
After saying this, he made great propaganda and raised the banner to lead the army to retreat.
It also caused a deathly silence above the city.
Although most of the soldiers who followed Wei Ping to guard Jincheng County were vulgar, it did not prevent them from knowing that the Hexi Allied Forces were defeated and Jincheng County would have no reinforcements.
It is impossible for the main force gathered in Guanzhong to come to help.
After all, the old Sima Cao Zhen, whom they were familiar with who had guarded Yongliang for decades, could not recapture Longyou, let alone the newly appointed governor of Yongliang, Sima Yi, who had never set foot in Liangzhou.
Can Jincheng County, which is under heavy siege, still be able to defend it?
Even if the Han army is repulsed countless times to attack the city, the equipment, food and soldiers' lives will gradually be consumed, and it will eventually be conquered, right?
Everyone has awakened in their hearts.
Wei Ping is no exception.
Therefore, the Ministry Governor quietly approached and asked for instructions in a low voice to select his trusted soldiers to form a military law team and patrol day and night to prevent the soldiers from gossiping or defecting. He rejected it without thinking.
Sitting in a lonely city where people are in panic, and fearing it with strict military orders, may cause the soldiers to mutiny.
"Take inventory of the assets and drinks in the city. I will use them in an hour."
When turning around and leaving the crenellations of the city wall, Wei Ping also whispered to the commander of the army.
It also made the director of the music department astonished.
It took him a while to react, and he bowed his head.
Those assets were accumulated by Wei Ping after he led his army into Jincheng County and collected taxes from various counties.
It was originally intended to be used to reward the soldiers who resisted with all their strength when the Han army attacked the city, in order to encourage the courage of the same enemy and make the city hold on longer.
But now we have to share the profits in advance.
Otherwise, the army will have no fighting spirit.
And Wei Ping is also feeling upset now, because he is also responsible for the defeat of the Hexi Allied Forces.
Without thinking too much, he could guess that Wei Yanai, who was stationed outside, used the "empty camp strategy" to have enough troops to defeat nearly 30,000 Hexi troops in one fell swoop.
Perhaps, at that time, Wei Yanlin did not attack the city and something went wrong. If I had sent troops out of the city to attack it, the outcome might have been different.
It's just that there are no ifs in the world.
Alas~~
The loneliness in Wei Ping's heart slowly spread throughout his body.
It made his steps even heavier, as if he had entered the year of the Zang Dynasty in an instant.
But at this moment, the military governor who was following closely behind him spoke again, "General, there seems to be an envoy coming from outside the city."
Um?
Hearing this, Wei Ping stopped and looked back.
After the Han army left, they saw about thirty people in the wilderness, all without armor or swords or spears, slowly approaching the city gate while guarding a carriage.
Did you send an envoy to persuade him to surrender?
Huh, how dare you come here to talk?
I'm worried that I don't have the courage and morale, so I'll sacrifice you and others to the flag!
Wei Ping twitched the corner of his mouth, and there was a trace of anger in the corner of his eyes, "Don't shoot him. When he gets close, lower the hanging basket and bring him up."
But soon, the anger in his heart melted away.
He has served in Liangzhou for many years and has worked with Jia Xu for many years. He is also no stranger to the military governors who often accompany Jia Xu.
So my eyes are filled with sadness.
They were defeated so miserably that even Jia Xu was killed in battle.
He held on to the crenel at the top of the city and looked down at the coffin on the carriage, speechless for a long time.
"General Wei, I am the military governor of General Jia."
More than thirty people pushed the cart to the ditch outside the city and all bowed their heads. The governor raised his head with tears in his eyes and roughly told the story of the war and Jia Xu's suicide. Then he confessed, "General Wei, I
We originally wanted to follow General Jia to die, but the guard of the Han Dynasty Zheng. Ahem! Ni Shu Scar Pu saw that the General would not give in, so he promised us that if we surrender, we can protect the Governor and bury his body in his hometown. We will not hesitate to die.
, but I dare not prevent the general's soul from returning to his hometown, so I have no choice but to take charge of my head and hope that the general will not take responsibility."
After saying this, without waiting for Wei Ping's reply, he led the crowd to return to Wuwei.
"Wait a moment!"
Wei Ping, whose face was filled with sadness, called out to them, "Jia Du is about to die and be buried. I can't go to express my condolences. You will wait for me to prepare some luggage and bring it back to the Jia family. I have the right to do so."
Just give it as a gift."
After saying this, he turned aside and let several tribes go to collect the funds.
And his subordinate supervisor was a little aggrieved.
Yi leaned close and complained in a low voice, "The general's move is inappropriate. In my opinion, when these people come close, I will shoot them all to prevent them from opening their mouths."
He is not stingy with money.
But knowing the news of Jia Xu's death will make the soldiers in the city even more panicked.
After all, Jia Xu had served in Jincheng for many years, and many soldiers were under his command. For example, the general who led 1,500 soldiers to garrison at Siwang Gorge was Jia Xu's general before. If Wei Ping was determined, he would recognize that soldier
By giving the order to kill after the song, the news can be concealed and the morale of the army can be reduced.
"No problem."
Wei Ping's expression did not change when he heard this, "I have my own opinion on this matter."
Outside the city, the Han army camped.
Wei Yan, who was dressed in armor, was stationed on a short hill, looking at the Wuting River flowing southward against the water, wondering what he was thinking.
Pang Hong, who was half a horse behind, sometimes looked at the river with his gaze, and sometimes looked at the prisoners who were being escorted back to Xiping County by the soldiers of the Guanxing Division. The expression on his face was also changing.
The generals of the various tribes were delighted that Ling Jusai had won a great victory, but they were also regretful that they had acted as suspects and were not among them.
After several months of getting along with Pang Hong, who was always respectful, Wei Yan felt very friendly and often carried him with him.
It seems like I'm used to it.
"Master, when do you think the Golden City can be broken?"
As if he had an insight into Pang Hong's thoughts, Wei Yan asked the question without looking back.
"ah?"
After a slight surprise, Pang Hongcai raised his hand and replied, "Returning to General, Jincheng was originally an isolated city. Now that they have learned about the defeat in Hexi, the army is frightened. Hongping believes that within a month, the army will collapse on its own!"
"Oh, January?"
Unexpectedly, after Wei Yan heard this, he turned his gaze towards Zhiyang City and sneered, "In my opinion, our army can completely occupy Jincheng County in less than ten days!"
Ten days?
So fast!
Pang Hong suddenly opened his eyes wide.
Seeing that Wei Yan had already turned his horse's head and returned to the military camp, he quickly drove his horse to catch up. He saluted respectfully on the horse and said, "Hong is stupid, please ask the general to clarify his doubts."
He also asked Wei Yan to look at Hu Pan, and said proudly, "Master Wang is familiar with hundreds of schools of thought, but he doesn't know the evil of 'a trapped beast still fights'?"
