Chapter 71 The highest state of chicken is to be dumbfounded
Under the spotlight, Shen Shuren made such a lofty speech in front of the soldiers of both armies, which really stunned Liu Xiyao and he didn't know how to deal with it for a moment.
How come there are so many scholars in this world who are so shameless? The key is that a person who doesn’t care about his moral reputation, how did he get into the imperial examination by reading the Four Books and Five Classics?
Meeting such an opponent who is not afraid of being scalded by boiling water will bring you bad luck for eight lifetimes.
After the surprise, he became angry at being humiliated. Liu Xiyao could not bear it at all. He directly picked up the knife and chopped off a distant nephew of Yuan Jixian Daotai who was tied up next to him with his backhand.
The blood from the hostage's neck surged up to a foot high, making Liu Xiyao's face look ferocious, and he kept cutting off the second one with his hands. If he hadn't been the only one, he wouldn't have thought of ordering the soldiers to cut him in such a rage. The rows of hostages were afraid All of them would be killed instantly and on the spot.
Fortunately, his generals begged for mercy, and his adopted son Liu Sandao also grabbed his shoulders and reminded him in a low voice:
"Father, please don't be reckless. We made an agreement yesterday that some hostages cannot be killed! We are going to threaten Shen Shuren and kill a few of them every day. It is enough to damage his reputation by cutting his flesh with a blunt knife. We don't have to use up all the handles at once!" "
Liu Xiyao calmed down a little, put away his knife and roared at the top of the city:
"Shen Gouguan! Don't think your trick is easy! Xiang Yu wants face, but I am shameless! Kill if you say kill! Today I will kill 20% of the sacrificial knives! Later I will let the soldiers spread your reputation for domineering everywhere! What's left is I'll send it to you tomorrow and then I'll kill you the next day! I'll kill you until you come out and accept the challenge!"
These last few sentences were purely ruthless words. After realizing that killing the hostages was useless, Liu Xiyao couldn't really kill them all, otherwise he would just make more enemies for himself.
…
Watching the rebel army retreat, the expressions of the soldiers at the top of the city became increasingly sad and angry, and their morale increased a bit.
Chen Shuren saw this and was secretly satisfied, knowing that his military spirit could be used.
Zuo Zixiong and other generals had no ill intentions. They just expressed their absolute support for Shen Tongzhi and hinted that "if the Lord wants us to go out of the city to fight in the field, we will fight with our lives bravely."
Of course Chen Shuren persuaded them and said that they should not raise an army out of anger.
Whether to fight or not to fight can only be considered purely from a military perspective. You must be responsible for the lives of the soldiers and should not be interfered by factors outside the market.
This statement naturally won him more military morale.
Many soldiers were deeply moved, especially those who had some knowledge and knew how deceitful the current emperor was and how easy it was to get angry with local ministers because important people were killed. They knew best how much pressure Master Tongzhi actually shouldered.
After seeing off the military attachés, only literati such as Zhao Yunfan, Zhang Huangyan and Gu Yanwu were left with Shen Shuren.
Zhao Yunfan had the worst personal relationship with him, so he couldn't help but take the opportunity to remind him:
"Sir, what I said just now, although I have temporarily dismissed Liu Xiyao, is still somewhat obstructive. It is better not to mention Liu Bang's example casually in the future. Even if you want to explain the position of our army, you can change your words. Those relatives of the ministers in the DPRK , being captured and killed by bandits on the border of Huangzhou will ultimately be detrimental to your political achievements."
Chen Shuren did not take it seriously: "I am acting in a hurry, for the sake of military interests. If Liu Bang had not said so and chose to challenge Xiang Yu, would the situation have been improved? His sacrifice would have been in vain, what? Nothing can be saved.
What's more, in front of the two armies, there are all uncivilized warriors who talk nonsense. Who will talk about today's events? Liu Xiyao wants to ruin my reputation, does the court need to believe it?
Even if the people who don’t like me hear what the traitor told him and then write a letter and still stir up dissension. As long as we all say the same thing and say we didn’t hear it, then those who accuse me are framing Zhongliang and acting as the mouthpiece of the traitor! I want to see it Look, there are a few shameless people in Qizhou County who dare not know what is good or bad."
Shen Shuren was not worried at all. It was already October of the thirteenth year of Chongzhen. Even if there was trouble in the future, it would only be half a year later, and it was impossible to settle such a superficial lawsuit.
He even wished that the imperial court would send Jin Yiwei to investigate in the future, so that he could take a look and see how many people in Huangzhou didn't agree with him, and then he could completely purge his body.
His subordinates should gradually get used to it. For the benefit of everyone, they have to obey authority in some matters and cover up for their superiors.
Zhao Yunfan also has some experience, and after a little thought, he understands that Lord Tongzhi is trying to win over the interests of a small group. In these post-apocalyptic times, this kind of thinking is not far from alien. For example, Zuo Liangyu next door is the same.
Of the three people present, he was the one with the most distant relationship, so of course he had to be more sensible. Soon he found an excuse to say haha, saying that he still had some official duties to finish, so he got out of the way.
…
After Zhao Yunfan and Gu Yanwu left, only his cousin Zhang Huangyan was left, and it seemed that he still had a few words to say.
Zhang Huangyan had led troops in wars, and was different from those purely civilian officials. He organized his words and persuaded:
"Cousin, you really don't plan to pursue Liu Xiyao? The imperial court sent you to be the magistrate of Huangzhou. The purpose is to let you regain the entire territory of Huangzhou. Liu Xiyao will fight sooner or later.
If we let him go, even if we can't quickly recruit troops to regain our strength, at least if we attack in the future, our army will have to bear the disadvantages of the siege. Now that he has lost most of his elite troops, there is nothing to be afraid of despite his large number!
The morale of our army is high again. Even if our troops are less than half the enemy's strength, we can still fight! You and I are both familiar with military history books. In my opinion, today's situation is very similar to that of attacking Qi by horseback!
In the past, Dai Leyi was robbed by cavalry, and all the prisoners of the Qi army were tortured (cutting off their noses) outside Jimo City. He also dug up the ancestral graves of Qi people to intimidate the Qi army. But the result? It just made the Qi army become more hostile and willing to do something for him. Tian Dan fought to the death and wiped out the Yan army with the Fire Ox Formation.
Now Liu Xiyao is going against the grain, taking hostages outside the city and killing innocent people indiscriminately. He also burns, kills and loots. His cruelty is far greater than that of robbery. The military morale can be used!"
Hearing this, Chen Shuren finally showed a somewhat gratified smile: "Among the three of you, you are the only one who is considered versatile in both civil and military affairs. Yes, Zhao Yunfan and Gu Yanwu didn't notice this. I'm familiar with the art of war, how can I You don't know this truth.
However, when Tian Dan used the Fire Ox Formation, he didn't do it immediately after the robbery. The people who had just finished the violence were in high spirits and did not know fear. They needed to be consumed for a while, so that they could be full of energy and then weaken again. Exhaustion. Only when the soldiers are exhausted and feel that they will no longer fight can the best effect be achieved by suddenly attacking them.
In the same way, although our army is angry now, if I raise troops due to anger, the soldiers will always have a knot in their hearts, thinking that our army was forced by Liu Xiyao. By extension, they will feel that the general is incompetent and fell into Liu Xiyao's trap. plan.
When using new recruits, the most important thing is to attack people's hearts. It is to manipulate people's hearts. Let our officers and soldiers feel that the enemy has fallen into a trap before the war begins. Let the enemy feel that they have fallen into a trap before the war begins. This is much more important than actually falling into the trap. Don't worry. , I have my own rhythm."
Zhang Huangyan breathed a sigh of relief and felt completely relieved.
It seems that my cousin has a comprehensive plan.
…
In the next few days, Liu Xiyao followed the advice of his adopted son and generals and wanted to cut his flesh with a blunt knife. He came to the city every day and killed a few hostages to force a fight. Shen Shuren also still acted like he was cutting flesh with a knife.
It's just that after putting the meat on the hob, Shen Shuren had another face towards the city's civil and military officials, as well as the soldiers and civilians.
For example, a Shen Shuren will ask people to find ways to publicize and spread news to the outside world, emphasizing his reputation as a Shen Shuren, saying that he is a coward, cowardly, and only wants to plunder for himself.
All this is to make Liu Xiyao believe that "Shen Shuren doesn't care about the life and death of the people at all" and to prevent the people from suffering more——
Of course, the Shenshu people are so spread outside the city, but they have a different view inside the city. If no one explains such a far-sighted and convoluted strategy to attack the heart, how can ordinary people think of it?
Therefore, it was necessary to arrange additional people to spread further gossip. Within a few days, all the soldiers and civilians in the city were moved: "Master Tongzhi is really a rare blue sky in ancient and modern times! He slandered his name all to protect us!"
At the same time, Chen Shuren was also ready to fight at any time.
He also ordered Zhang Huangyan and Zuo Zixiong to quickly reform the prisoners, then single out the angry young people in the city, and teach them some simple city defense tactics - when Chen Shuren comes out of the city to pursue them, the task of defending the city will be huge. Part of it was borne by these people to prevent unexpected events.
The time dragged on until mid-October, and Liu Xiyao had already harvested all the grain that had not been harvested in the two frontier counties that he could harm. For the convenience of transportation, the grain was even threshed.
The 8,000 people under his command, after discovering that the army would not come out to fight, have recently been forced by their superiors to do farm work day and night, harvesting and robbing crops. They are exhausted every day, but they dare not complain.
Everyone knew that the war would not continue. The purpose of coming to Qizhou this time was to snatch away food. With more food, we could expand our army after returning to Huanggang County.
The potatoes and corn planted by some Shenshu people were also harvested and robbed by the bandits. They were all packed and shipped, and then brought back to Huanggang.
…
Today is already October 12th.
In the early morning, Shen Shuren had just received a report from the scout ship that had rushed back from the upper river last night, saying that Liu Xiyao's troops had been discovered and were already preparing to withdraw.
However, the troops and horses had not moved, and the food and grass went first. Before the combat troops retreated, Liu Xiyao had already ordered the chariots and horses transporting the looted food to go on the road in advance, and the combat troops stopped to protect them.
Chen Shuren has been doing psychological work for so many days, and he has been waiting for this day.
Halfway through the hour, he immediately asked Zuo Zixiong to give the order for the entire battalion of soldiers to assemble.
The officers and soldiers, who had been holding back their anger for many days, responded very quickly, and it took just two cups of tea.
Chen Shuren walked around the front row in a cold and silent manner, just like before the head of state's speech, he first used "silence" as a tool to grasp people's hearts.
When the atmosphere calmed down and everyone shuddered and did not dare to make any noise, he spoke slowly but firmly:
"Soldiers, I have always put everyone's lives and the well-being of the people first. I have never dared to let everyone fight in vain for the sake of personal reputation and official career.
These days, even if Liu Xiyao kills the family members of so many high-ranking officials in the DPRK and threatens me with my official career, I remain unmoved and slanders his name!
However, today Liu Xiyao has already snatched up the grain and grass in the three counties of Qishui, and also snatched up all the potatoes and corn seeds that we originally planned to promote in each county next year.
Let Liu Xiyao go back, and he will coerce more good people to become thieves and harm the Ming Dynasty! And many of you will be robbed of autumn crops and will not be able to survive this winter and next year's spring famine, and will eventually starve to death!
It’s not that I am warlike, but that the matter has reached this point, we can’t bear it anymore and have no choice. I have prepared enough sand ships for you. Our army can take the Yangtze River waterway, detour from Qishui back to Xishui, and intercept Liu Xiyao’s grain and grass supplies.
In front of the motorcade.
Liu Xiyao has completely relaxed now. He never thought that our army would dare to go out to fight after being retreated for so long, and dare to cut off his back by water route. Therefore, he must be panicked. As long as he dares to fight in this battle, our army will win! It is a great victory and meritorious service.
, take back the food and grass, or starve to death in vain and let others laugh at you, it’s up to you to make your own decision! Let’s go!”
"Swear to kill Liu thief! Swear to kill Liu thief! Swear to kill Liu thief!" Zuo Zixiong was the first to take the lead in raising his arms and shouting, and then more than 3,000 soldiers in the entire guardhouse followed suit.
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