The journey of more than 100,000 Xu family troops to Linyuan was not a smooth journey.
During this period, the tail end encountered the imperial court’s pursuers twice——
As they walked along, they were naturally not completely unprepared for what was behind them. They set up traps and ambushes along the way in order to beckon those who were pursuing them.
During this process, the opponent lost a general, who was killed by Qin Wu himself, so the morale of the army was in chaos. Then the army was held back by the trap set by Xu Jiajun, and for a while they did not continue to pursue them.
He chose to temporarily settle down three hundred miles away from Beijing. He sent people back to Beijing to report the news and wait for the imperial court to issue orders.
They only have 20,000 soldiers and horses on this trip. To pursue and annihilate the Xu family army is nothing short of a fantasy——
Duke Zhenguo suddenly rebelled, and no one knew what Xu Jiajun planned to do next. The so-called pursuit should actually be called defense and deterrence.
The most important thing for them is to defend the capital.
At this time, the commander was beheaded, and the soldiers were distraught and uneasy. Seeing Xu Jiajun heading north, they actually breathed a sigh of relief.
Even though he knew that this relief could only be temporary, at least for now, it seemed that Duke Zhen had no intention of making the capital for the time being.
This can be considered a blessing among misfortunes...
Everyone knows that Duke Zhen Guo has a strong temper. Once his temper gets angry, he will dare to say and do anything. If the other party really leads troops to attack the capital at this time, Daqing will really fall into chaos overnight!
Even so, when the news came back to the palace, Emperor Qingming still became so angry that he fell ill.
The ministers who were guarding the outer hall looked at the busy figures of the imperial doctors. Apart from being anxious, they couldn't help but feel that "this useless thing of the emperor is too much of a hindrance."
If they were to tell them, it was inevitable that they would not be able to defeat him. This was just a test, so how could they be so angry... Could it be that before the emperor sent out troops, he actually thought that he could kill the Duke of Zhen in one fell swoop?
——I’m afraid I’m not thinking about shit!
The Duke of Zhenguo did not attack the capital immediately, which means that the capital still has room to breathe. The emperor did not take this opportunity to think of countermeasures, weigh the situation, and deploy defenses everywhere. Instead, he fell ill without closing his eyes!
Delaying discussions and decision-making is one thing, and once the news of the emperor's illness spreads, it will shake the morale of the military and the people!
If the prince was not too weak in all aspects, they would have said that the emperor would not save him!
When I talk about this, I can't help but get even more angry. If I am not good at political affairs, my children are not good at it either...
What do they want from this emperor?
The emperor can't do it, but the minister can't just let it go——
However, as soon as Xia Tingzhen died, the greatest suppression among the officials was lost. All the forces in the DPRK and China were not united, so there were constant disagreements and endless debates.
There was chaos in the court, and news of the rebellion of the Duke of Zhenguo spread day by day.
On the way to Linyuan, Xu Jiajun found that, except for the pursuing troops from the imperial court, the road ahead was not unimpeded.
When passing through Qicheng, they were blocked.
However, there are only more than 6,000 troops in one city and one guard in total, and they are completely vulnerable to the Xu family's army.
On that day, the people of Qicheng were all frightened by this.
However, the Xu family's army broke through Qicheng, but did not stop for a moment. They neither looted nor occupied the city, nor did they harm the people. They continued to march forward.
After coming back to their senses, the people of Qicheng, from being frightened at first to sighing with relief, gradually felt inexplicably regretful...
The Xu family army is not a foreign race, and the Duke of Zhenguo has always been kind. Many years ago, when he followed the late emperor to conquer the world, he had set a military rule in the army that he must not harm the people or surrender his troops——
Although Qicheng is not as rich and strategically located as Linyuan next door, it is better because it is a large place and the people are hardworking and hardworking. The annual grain harvest is the first in the Daqing period. Why didn't the Duke of Zhen take a fancy to it?
By the way... Linyuan!
The prefect of Qicheng was shocked. Not long after Xu Jiajun left, he immediately sent a letter to his friend Fan Ying, the prefect of Linyuan, reminding him to be careful and take precautions.
Fan Ying received the letter and immediately began to set up his defenses without hesitation.
But it's all in vain.
Within two days, the soldiers and horses guarding the outside of the city were completely defeated, and the guard commander Xiang Qing was captured alive.
However, Xu Jiajun did not continue on his way after passing through Qicheng like he had done before. Instead, he set up camp outside Linyuan City. The place he chose was obviously very particular. He not only considered the pros and cons of the terrain, the convenience of transporting grain and grass, etc.
According to the conditions, I also invited Mr. Yao Fang to show me Feng Shui...
"Facing south, there is water in the south, and wealth will be prosperous!"
"It's true that there is water, but there is a bridge on the water, and the bridge head goes directly to the camp gate. This is a taboo!"
"I can do it!"
"What's the matter with you? This is my general's military camp! Is it your turn to talk to a bald foreigner?"
Xiang Qing, the commander of the Linyuan Guard, had his hands and feet tied and stuffed in the tent. He listened to the two gentlemen arguing outside the tent about the location of the main entrance of the military camp. After listening carefully for a while, it was difficult to tell who was talking more.
Makes sense.
wrong……
With this current situation... maybe Xu Jiajun wants to take root here!
In the next few days, Xu Jiajun stood still, which confirmed his suspicion.
People in the city were panic-stricken over this.
A few days after Xu's army came, the city gates were closed for a few days. The army is now outside the city, but they are just surrounding it, with no intention of attacking.
In Linyuan City, the prefect Fan Ying could not sit still for a long time.
On this day, a group of Xu family soldiers wearing black armor came outside the city gate, arousing the guards' alert.
On the tower, the crossbowmen were ready to go.
But I heard the leader say loudly: "We are here to deliver a message to Magistrate Fan on orders from the general!"
Qin Wu's voice was rough and ear-splitting: "The situation forces us to borrow your city for use this time! However, Linyuan City has a deep connection with our general, and the general is reluctant to attack by force. If Governor Fan is willing to make it easier,
The general promises that not a single plant or tree in the city will be harmed!"
"Three days will allow Magistrate Fan to carefully consider and weigh it!"
"After three days, if Magistrate Fan still insists on resisting, he will only be offended!"
The guards on the city tower changed their expressions when they heard this.
The news quickly reached Fan Ying's ears, and also spread among the people in the city under the influence of "careful people".
Two days later, there were endless explanations from all walks of life in the city, and even a few elderly people went to the government office to ask for an order from Magistrate Fan to open the city gate to welcome the Duke of the town into the city.
Young people may not be deeply impressed by this, but who among the older people would not know the reason why Linyuan City is so wealthy today——
He was Hui Shi, the late former boss of Yuan's Company, and also the protector of the Xu family army during the war!
At that time, the world was really in chaos, but Lin Yuan became an exception because of the protection of the Yuan clan and the Xu family army.
The road under your feet was paved with money from the Yuan family.
Today's city wall was built under the personal supervision of the eldest son of General Xu and the son-in-law of the former Yuan's old employer.
They didn't know why General Xu rebelled, but when they welcomed Xu Jiajun into the city, even if they didn't talk about repaying their kindness, even if it was just to protect themselves, then Xu Jiajun was worthy of their trust!
He can't be beaten no matter how hard he fights!
Xu Jiajun really wants to attack the city, why should he wait for three days?
With thousands of troops and horses, it is possible to flatten Linyuan City!
Even if people are affectionate and righteous, what reason do they have to defend the city to the death? Not to mention whether it can be defended, but who is this city being defended for? Is it the current imperial court?
When it comes to the imperial court, the first thing that comes to mind is the tax and corvee assessments that have become increasingly heavy in recent years...
To put it more superficially, no one can experience it personally and is more qualified to comment on whether the current imperial court is good or not, and whether it is worth it or not.
There was only one day left in the three-day period, and people in Linyuan City were agitated about this.
The golden crow falls in the west, and the autumn clouds fill the sky.
Xu Mingyi walked out of the tent and looked towards the distant sky. The mountains and rivers not far away were clear and clear, which made people's hearts become more open and clear.
At this time, there was the sound of armor and swords clashing while walking. Xu Mingyi turned around subconsciously and saw a young man wearing soft armor striding towards him.
When she saw it was Wu Chao, a smile appeared on her face and she walked quickly away.
"How's it going? How many people are there on the other side?" Seeing that he was unharmed, her tone was very casual.
"Only a thousand people." Wu Chao said: "But they are not here to cause trouble——"
Not here to cause trouble?
Xu Mingyi was startled, and then said: "Is it because of surrender?"
Wu Chao nodded and said with a smile: "The leader said that he has admired the name of the Duke for a long time. When he learned about the Duke's rebellion, he immediately came here without stopping."
Xu Mingyi couldn't help but laugh. How could he stop watching and watching now?
I thought he was taking the opportunity to cause trouble, but unexpectedly he came to surrender and even asked Wu Chao to make a special trip.
But it's better to be nice than to fight.
I just don’t know how the prefect Fan in Linyuan City will choose.
They were unwilling to attack Linyuan. In addition to unintentionally causing unnecessary casualties, they also had another consideration -
Linyuan City is a prosperous and prosperous place with complete order. This is one of the reasons why they chose Linyuan. Since it wants to be a stronghold, they must think about it in the long run. If possible, they do not want to excessively destroy it.
order.
Just as he did not choose to attack the capital, but retreated to Linyuan, it was also due to similar considerations.
This truth is very simple. If we really want to attack the capital directly, not to mention the tight defense of the capital, the emperor is not a good man, but he is afraid of death. The rough calculation of the troops of the battalions outside the city is 150,000 to 60,000——
Even though the Xu family's army could be tied in numbers due to their bravery and proficiency in fighting, this battle was not a one-day battle. As a rebel side, they were under the imperial city, and the supply of food and grass was a top priority.
Not to mention that the imperial court will definitely not sit still and wait for death. The capital is in trouble, and it is impossible to be vague about the deployment of troops everywhere. There are also wolves from all sides who smell the scent of blood——
By that time, their Xu Jiajun would be in a cage with no way out.
They want to win, not to be angry with anyone. They are stupid enough to risk their lives to fight to the death so that others can reap the benefits.
Before the imperial court can make a complete response, it is a long-term plan to occupy the important location of Linyuan and build a defense.
"Don't worry." Wu Chao noticed her thoughts and said, "Fan Ying is probably on pins and needles at this time. Even if he still refuses to surrender in the end, there are other ways he can think of."
Xu Mingyi looked at him, and as soon as their eyes met, she understood clearly.
Other ways...
for example……
Well, let's see if we can wait for the news tonight.
Marching and fighting have always been a battle of flesh and blood, but she once heard her grandfather say that even when facing the enemy, there is still humanity and compassion. The so-called capturing the thief and the king is not only to increase the chance of victory, but also to reduce the casualties on both sides——
In the art of war, the best strategy is to kill without losing blood.
Xu Mingyi is not the only one who has the same idea.
There was also Fan Ying, the prefect of Linyuan.
Magistrate Fan has not eaten for a whole day, not even a sip of water.
Nowadays, many people gathered outside the government office, all to persuade him to give up resistance.
Why didn't he want to!
If you can live, who wants to die?
What's more, now he has not only his own life and death on his shoulders, but also the subordinates who guard the city. Many of these subordinates are young people born and raised in Linyuan City. At this time, among the people gathered outside the government office, perhaps
There are their parents and relatives...
But...but can he agree?!
Magistrate Fan felt miserable and tried desperately to come up with a solution that would have both ends.
Xu Jiajun waited for three days!
The people have been waiting for three days!
Didn't he wait for three days?
He was just waiting for Xu Jiajun to send someone to sneak into the city to kidnap him!
Why don't you come?
Your Majesty Xu Jiajun, why can’t you be more proactive!
Magistrate Fan expressed his disappointment at the delay in waiting for his kidnapper.
So he decided to create his own opportunity.
"Sir, Yuan Dong's family has arrived." A yamen servant entered the hall and announced.
"Let people come in."
The middle-aged man who walked in wearing a lake blue jacket was none other than Yuan Dezhi, the owner of Yuan's Company.
"Common people see you, sir." Yuan Dezhi bowed politely.
Magistrate Fan sighed vaguely and said: "Hidden, no need to be polite, just sit down and talk."
Yin Zhi is Yuan Dezhi's cousin. He always has his own way of dealing with people. In private, he has a good relationship with Fan Zhifu, who was transferred to Linyuan for only two years.
And since Xu Jiajun came to Linyuan City, he was "invited" to the government office as a guest. However, the guest stay was too long. Xu Jiajun came for a few days, and he stayed in the government office for a few days.
Although he is called a guest, everyone can see that this is house arrest in disguise.
"I am forced to keep you in the government office this time because of the situation. My dear brother has always been transparent, so he should know the pros and cons of this..." Magistrate Fan said in a helpless tone.
Yuan Dezhi said: "Brother Fan is in this position. I understand the considerations behind this move."
The Yuan family and the Duke of Zhenguo were related by marriage, and the Xu family's army came to the city. In order to avoid cooperating with the Yuan family, they only placed him under house arrest, the boss of the Yuan family, which was a great deal of dignity to the Yuan family.
"Tomorrow will be the three-day period..." Fan Zhifu took his first sip of tea today, but he acted like he was drinking. He put down the tea cup and sighed: "There are no outsiders here, so it's okay."
Brother Tong Xian, let me tell you what is on my mind... You know who I am, and you have never cared about these false names! If you can save a city of people and avoid a war, the so-called loyalty name is nothing.
Cherish it!"
"But... if it comes down..." Magistrate Fan's voice suddenly became much lower, with tears flashing in his eyes: "My life doesn't matter, but my old mother and a whole family of young and old are far away in Indigo.
You will definitely be implicated by me and suffer the wrath of the imperial court..."
Yuan Dezhi nodded with a heavy heart.
Although his contact with Magistrate Fan was based on profit plans, he also truly respected the other person as a person.
He has lamented more than once that although His Majesty is in terrible condition today, it is fortunate that Daqing still has such good officials, otherwise the situation would not be as good as it is today.
He knew very well that Magistrate Fan's words were not a show.
