Chapter 4158 Yanziji (Part 2)
[Everyone, happy Mid-Autumn Festival! 】
……
Xiao Xun's expression suddenly changed and he lost his voice: "What did you say!"
Without Fang Jun's order, how could Su Dingfang dare to risk the corruption of the entire Jiangnan area and come to stop the Jiangnan private army from crossing the Yangtze River and heading north?
Could it be Fang Xuanling's order?
But Fang Xuanling has always been calm and forward-thinking, how could he have such courage?
Xiao Guan wiped the sweat from his face and said anxiously: "The navy has assembled dozens of warships and will arrive at Yanziji in less than an hour. If they launch a strong attack, it will be a bad thing!"< br>
This time, every family in the south of the Yangtze River tried their best to send out all their young men and women. In order to make up the numbers, many old and weak people even joined the battle, a total of 100,000 people. Such a large number of people only need to be issued with weapons and armor, and with a little practice, they can be used in field battles. But now tens of thousands of people are crossing the river, their formations are chaotic and their orders are uncertain, and they are facing the Royal Navy, which is "invincible in water battles". How can they have any chance of winning?
Xiao Xun's hands were trembling and his face was pale. The calm and steady demeanor of a famous official who recalled the past and the present was completely gone. He didn't even notice that the teacup in his hand fell on the soft carpet. He only murmured: "It must be Fang Xuanling. It must be Fang Xuanling... He really dares to ignore the situation in Jiangnan? He is crazy!"
Since the disaster of Yongjia, the people and clans from the north have moved southward in large numbers, bringing with them advanced production technology and cultural classics, which has enabled the development of the originally swampy and smoky wilderness in the south of the Yangtze River. For hundreds of years, the south of the Yangtze River has With its abundant water resources and warm climate, the region has long become the center of wealth in the world, and is no less important than Guanzhong.
Therefore, the aristocratic families living in the south of the Yangtze River had the confidence to often oppose the central government's policies. Even a talented and ambitious monarch like Emperor Sui Yang was helpless against the Jiangnan clan's "districting for self-operation". What they were afraid of was that if the pressure was too great, public opinion in the south of the Yangtze River would be violent. , and then ruled across the rivers under the leadership of the Jiangnan clan, causing the empire to split instantly.
Since entering the Tang Dynasty, even the wise and martial Majesty Li Er has adopted a soft policy towards Jiangnan. He is most afraid of the sudden reversal of the Jiangnan area and has separated from the central government to separate the rivers. Even though the central government was able to suppress the rebellion and reunify, it still failed due to internal strife. It damaged the vitality of the country and caused the Siyi Hu tribe to take the opportunity to become powerful.
Therefore, how could even Fang Xuanling dare to ignore the danger of splitting up in Jiangnan?
It can be said that since the navy has gone upstream, it is absolutely impossible for it to be just a routine patrol. It is clearly aimed at the private army in the south of the Yangtze River.
But now tens of thousands of people have gathered outside Jinling City. Soldiers who have boarded the ship and are still waiting for those who have not yet boarded the ship, civilians transporting grain and baggage, countless carriages and carts, and mountains of grain and baggage, ordnance and armor. Ju...even if you want to retreat, you can't avoid it.
After pondering for a long time, Xiao Xun stabilized his mind, stood up and stepped out of the carriage. Xiao Guan hurriedly stepped forward to help him. Xiao Xun looked up at the clear sky and the scorching sun, and sighed: "This summer has been rainy, and it rains every now and then. Lingering for many days has a great impact on the Navy's firearms, but today it happens to be clear, allowing the Navy's firearms to exert their maximum power..."
Could it be that the Jiangnan clan died from heaven and the Xiao clan from Lanling died from heaven?
The theory of prophecy is deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. These days, no one says that "man can conquer heaven". They believe that Shangcang controls all things. It is said that people make plans and accomplish things in heaven. "Heaven's timing" does not allow it. What can be done based on the insignificance of human power?
But you can’t lie down and let yourself be beaten...
After gathering his composure, Xiao Xun said to Yuan Chao who was getting off the car behind him: "Brother Yuan, you might as well go into the city to take shelter temporarily to avoid the chaos of war. Brother Yu will board the ship in person to meet with Liu Rengui. If you can come back, let's have a drink and talk with brother Xian again." If you never come back... you will never come back.”
After saying that, he turned back and said to Xiao Guan: "Prepare a warship. I will board the ship and enter the river to see if I can intercept the navy."
Xiao Guan was shocked and said hurriedly: "Grandpa, no! The river is rough and the ship is bumpy. If something happens to you at such an old age, how will your grandson explain it to his uncle and his father?"
"Excuse me!"
Xiao Xun raised his eyebrows and cursed: "How long have you been acting like a child? If we let the navy come to kill us today, the world will be shattered and the earth will fall apart. How will I explain to the people then? I, the Lanling Xiao family, have How to explain to the Jiangnan clan? Even if it’s urgent, don’t hesitate and make arrangements quickly!”
"Here!"
Xiao Guan didn't dare to say anything and hurriedly ran to arrange the warships.
Yuan Chao took Xiao Xun's hand with an excited expression. He knew that Xiao Xun was determined to die and wanted to turn the tide. He could neither persuade nor dissuade him. His lips trembled a few times and he said with emotion: "Brother, you are noble and upright, but you have given up on yourself." As a planner of the Jiangnan clan, we really respect you!”
"What a noble and upright person!"
Xiao Xun patted the back of Yuan Chao's hand and said with a bitter smile: "I am old, but I am just a coffin man. I have lived enough in this life and I am no longer afraid of death! But I am afraid that after I die, I will be poked in the spine by the people from Jiangnan. , He scolded me for ruining the Jiangnan clan’s heritage for hundreds of years, and scolded the Xiao family for dragging the Jiangnan clan into the abyss for their own selfish interests! If the danger can be eliminated with one death, I will draw my sword and wipe it on my neck now.”
This time the Jiangnan clan was summoned to form a private army and go north, it was the Lanling Xiao clan who took the lead. Once they succeeded in defeating the prince and supporting the Jin king to ascend the throne, the Lanling Xiao clan would naturally benefit the most. However, at the same time, if it failed, the Jiangnan clan would be affected. Suffering huge losses, the culprit is naturally the Lanling Xiao family.
If the navy cannot be stopped today, I am afraid that within tens or hundreds of years in the future, the Lanling Xiao family will become the sinner of the Jiangnan clan...
Yuan Chao, with a white beard and no wind, took his initiative and watched helplessly as Xiao Xun walked towards the ferry with the support of his disciples from the two clans.
……
Xiao Guan prepared an old warship and set up a springboard at the ferry. He helped Xiao Xun board the warship, but Xiao Xun waved him away: "I don't need you to accompany me. You stay at the ferry and hurry up." Evacuate people, and those who have not yet boarded the ship should move back. Regardless of the food and baggage, they must get out of the range of the naval artillery. Otherwise, if I can't stop it, there will be a disaster. "
Xiao Guan did not dare to say anything, so he could only kneel at Xiao Xun's feet, kowtow three times respectfully, and get off the boat with tears in his eyes.
The Jiangnan clan gathered private soldiers to form an army and marched north to Guanzhong. This was equivalent to launching a war against the prince and seriously threatened the prince's status. How could the navy, one of the main forces of the East Palace army, stand by and watch? If there is no war, let's stop. Once there is a war, there is no way for my grandfather to survive.
Maybe he was killed by the navy to sacrifice the flag...
However, knowing that he was going to die in danger, his grandfather, who was a descendant of Nanliang, did it without hesitation. What kind of strong character and courageous ambition is this?
After returning to the shore, young men and stewards from various families gathered around and asked: "What's the temperament like on the river? I heard that the navy has dispatched dozens of warships. Will they fire on us?"
With so many people gathered at the ferry, it was impossible to keep it secret. Facing the anxious or frightened eyes of a pair of people, Xiao Guan responded calmly and said loudly: "This is not a time of panic. Everyone, listen to my orders." , those who have not yet boarded the ship are suspended from boarding, the ship is docked, and the people on the shore are evacuated backwards and out of the range of the naval artillery.”
When everyone heard this, they immediately exploded. Didn't this clearly tell them that the navy would definitely launch an attack?
In the past few years, the Jiangnan clan has hated the navy. They only sent ships to escort on the ocean, and then rented ports in various countries to provide various caravans with goods storage and trade, and they had to collect all kinds of money. Commercial taxes, rents, sponsorships... If there were no navy, each company's sea trade profits would at least double. Taking out so many yellow and orange copper coins would be as painful as cutting off flesh after school.
But at the same time, I have also seen several battles by the navy to exterminate pirates on the ocean, and even wars with countries in the East and Southeast Asia from time to time. Each time, the navy ended up with a complete victory. The navy's powerful battles The power has already been deeply rooted in people's hearts.
Now it is possible that this navy may suddenly change its muzzle and change from the protected to the attacked. How can we not have two groups fighting each other and panic?
Everyone turned around and ran away, rushing back to where their respective soldiers gathered to prevent the soldiers from retreating urgently.
Although the heads of each family did not rush to Jinling with their own thoughts, the soldiers and food they sent were real, which almost emptied their family wealth. Once they were slaughtered by the navy, each family would be difficult to turn around within ten years.
Originally, in the battle of Niuzhuji, all the dead soldiers raised by each family were killed by Fang Jun. If all these soldiers were lost, the local rule of each family would be shaken, and it would be difficult to be as good as before. It's like ruling the land and becoming the king...
However, tens of thousands of hedgehogs gathered in the small area of Yanziji Ferry, almost rubbing shoulders and bustling with people, baggage, and livestock mixed together. Where to retreat and retreat? Especially those who were temporarily appointed by Xiao Guan as stewards to cooperate with the private troops to board the boats and cross the river were too selfish. They each cared about their own soldiers and just wanted to leave the ferry as soon as possible to avoid being attacked by the navy, which led to chaos in the order. People shout and horses neigh.
Xiao Guan's eyes were red. If this continues, he might be trampled to death without the naval artillery bombardment...
……
Xiao Xun stood on the boat and looked at the crowd on the shore who had been frightened by the news of the navy's arrival. He urged the sailors to sail without expression. The warship slowly left the ferry and sailed downstream along the center of the river, going faster and faster with the wind and the current.
Countless ships were docked on both sides of the ship. Some of them were filled with private troops from various Jiangnan families, and some were filled with heavy supplies of food and supplies. They were so densely packed that one could not see the end of them. This almost represents the limit of the current Jiangnan clan's mobilization ability. Even if each family has hidden selfish motives and wants to reserve a way out without the determination of "doing it or not", almost every family has emptied their wealth.
Xiao Xun suddenly had a frightening thought: If the navy came upstream and wiped out all the private troops and food supplies gathered here, what else could the Jiangnan clan use to threaten the central government, and how could the Jiangnan clan use separate areas to rule by dividing the river?
As long as the nearly 100,000 Jiangnan private troops gathered here are killed, where is the risk of Jiangnan corruption?
We can't let the heads of each family rise up with their clan members and gather in the mountains and forests to rob families and homes, right?
My heart sank suddenly. (End of chapter)