Chapter 519 Three days later, the flames burn the city (Happy Lantern Festival)
What? fine?
Hearing this sentence, Xue Shence and Sun Xiaojun were stunned and felt a deep puzzlement: "How can Mo Zhaorong explain this?"
Behind the two, the local generals and officials who took the initiative to claim the crime, were also confused because the two "main generals" took the initiative or passively apologized.
Mo Chou looked around his faces, smiled, and kept insincerely saying, "You two don't want to ask, why do we know that the city is being attacked by an enemy?"
After a brief pause, she answered: "Halfway through the way, we accidentally rescued a shadow guard. We learned that the main force of the rebels had siege the city and sent additional cavalry to break through the defense line.
Governor Zhao made a judgment and guessed that the thief rushed to the Taicang Silver Mine, so he led a team of light cavalry to suppress the rebellion in advance."
This is what happened? Zhao Duan has gone to help?
Xue Shence and Sun Xiaojun were stunned at first, and then a surprise surged in their hearts:
With Zhao Duan's ability and setting out early, it is indeed likely to stop the thieves from destroying the mine.
The rest of the people even felt the joy and surprise of "living after the disaster".
If something happens to the silver mine, someone will always take the blame. When it is time to hire people, if it is reported to the court, Xue Shence and Sun Xiaojun may not have something to do, and the possibility of the people who are doing things below being dragged out to convict will be even greater.
The King of Yan Zhao, before he arrived, was already like a giant umbrella, blocking a disaster for them.
Of course, everything is just speculation and has not been confirmed yet. However, even though the silver mine was still destroyed, Zhao Duan took the initiative to go, which meant that the "supervisor" took the initiative to take on the responsibility.
By chance, they all silently felt grateful to Zhao Duan. "Master Sun, please arrange for two battalions of reinforcements to enter the city to rest. I will go to the West Gate to wait for Governor Zhao to return triumphantly." Xue Shence said.
Sun Xiaozhun responded and made a "please" gesture to Shi Meng, Yuan Feng and others.
Mo Chou said, "Since that's the case, I will go with Shumi Xue."
Taicang Silver Mine is in the west. If Zhao Duan returns, he will definitely return from the Xicheng Gate.
When Zhao Duan rode his horse to the outside of the city gate, he saw the city gate wide open from a distance. A group of figures were waiting. When he got closer, he saw his face clearly. His tight heartstrings suddenly relaxed. He breathed a sigh of relief and smiled: "Sir Xue, I've been farewell to the capital, long time no see!" Xue Shence was wearing military uniform. Unlike the military officer robe with a lion on his chest when he was in the capital, the heart protection mirror on his armor and chest were carved into the head of a strange beast.
At the age of 40 or 50, his skin is fair and his short beard is grown under his jaw. Although he is much haggard than before, he can vaguely see the arrogant attitude of the "Dayu Army God". "I haven't seen each other for several months, and the governor is better than before!" Xue Shence was not good at boasting and politeness. This admiration was at its limit. He looked at Zhao Duan carefully, and his expression sighed:
"I heard that the governor escorted His Majesty back to the capital for thousands of miles, and defeated King Heng even more. I am not as good as such a achievement."
Who said that you, Lao Xue, would not flatter and slapped the horse, and I was anxious... Zhao Duan smiled, threw the reins to his subordinates, walked over, nodded at Mocho, restrained his smile, and went straight to the topic:
"It seems that the city of the city is safe, so I feel relieved. The rebels who wanted to blow up the silver mine have been wiped out by me. Now I leave Tang Ping and others there to prevent any accidents.
In addition, the rebels destroyed Songjiazhuang and tried to burn the farmland. I arrived one step too late, and I had to wipe it out. Where is Sun Xiaojun? The aftermath of this matter must be concerned by him, the prefect."
Slaughtered the farmers and burned the farmland?
Xue Shence, Mo Chou and others frowned, but during the war, such things were always inevitable, and they were more concerned about the safety of silver mines.
"Magistrate Sun has placed reinforcements in the city, and the generals who were previously scattered to the surrounding granaries also returned one after another," Xue Shence said: "Please join the government office with us to discuss the subsequent plan to break the thief."
Zhao Duan nodded: "Just just call me a messenger. You and I will be officials in the same court, so there is no need to be separated."
Xue Shence shook his head and said seriously: "There is no joke in the army. Since he is a general, he should call him this."
This guy was publicly expressing that he had no intention and showed his loyalty to the court... Zhao Duan's eyes fluctuated and he nodded:
"Mr. Xue just shouted casually."
...
...
…
Huai River Road, Baihua Village.
Wearing a patched robe, tying her hair with a wooden hairpin, carrying a wooden sword, and holding a whisk in her hand, she was walking in the sea of flowers.
Steps are hurrying.
Looking up, I saw that the sea of flowers that had grown very well in the past was much more chaotic because the villagers fled recently and were unattended to take care of them.
He ignored the empty houses in Baihua Village, nor did he visit the house where the Empress and Zhao Duan practiced both. Instead, he repeatedly confirmed that he had not been targeted and quickly walked up the back mountain.
Along the mountain path, arrive at the dilapidated temple hidden on the barren mountain. "Fortunately, the formation is still there."
The real person was bewitched and pulled up a stone pillar from the corner of the yard. Seeing the obstruction of his eyes slowly dispersed, his heart strings that were tense all the way relaxed, and a smile appeared on his cold face:
"I scare myself. Even if it is a god, it is impossible to find the special here without deliberately searching. It seems that it is just a coincidence."
The old Taoist priest shook his whisk, stepped on the dilapidated Taoist temple covered with dust, reached the depths, and turned the switch.
In the heavy "rolling" sound, the stone wall slowly opened a secret passage, leading to one of the treasure houses he had worked hard for many years. "Huh?" When the bewitching the real person walked down the steps, he finally realized that something was wrong. The ground was too clean and the thickness of the dust should not be so thin.
When he walked into the secret room, his pupils suddenly narrowed, and the whisk in his hand fell to the ground with a "splash". The old Taoist staggered, took a few steps back, covered his heart with his right hand, his face was dull, and he rubbed his eyes in disbelief!
But the treasure house that should have been "a vast array of" is now empty, with no hair left!
"My baby!..."
The bewitching real person burst into a heart-wrenching whine, as if he was struck by lightning, his face turned pale. Suddenly, he seemed to have thought of something, and suddenly opened another secret door in the secret room and entered a hidden patio.
There is a hot spring here, in which a mature black and white tree was planted. However, at this moment, the hot spring pool had already dried up. The mysterious creature that grew jade leaves had been uprooted for a long time ago, leaving only a few "leafs" on the ground that had lost their spiritual power and dried up and cracked.
The old Taoist priest fell to the ground, and the light in his eyes disappeared little by little:
The sky collapsed.
…
…
Taicang Mansion is located in the north and north of the city. It has a grand architectural spirit and is extremely stately.
In the inner courtyard of the yamen, in a house temporarily served as the "front line command center", the city's generals and senior officials gathered, and they sat down according to their ranks.
The atmosphere was restless and the tension was lingering in the dark clouds of war.
Zhao Duan was the "Governor of the Rebellion" granted by the Empress, and was equivalent to the governor, ranks as the main position, and is the nominal "No. 1" leader in the Western Front War Zone.
Mo Chou, who deliberately changed back to the female official's robe, wore a wingless black gauze, and his eyebrows were decorated with plum blossoms, sat beside him. He is a positioning as a "deputy supervisor".
Zhao Du'an's right hand, Xue Shence sat upright in his armor, expressionless, and was powerful without anger.
On the left hand side, the prefect Sun Xiaozhun sat upright, and put the black hat on his shoulder back on his head
——As his fourth-rank prefect, he should have been ranked behind the commander of the Beijing camp, but because he was the lord of the palace and the unspoken rule of the civil servants of the same level in the court, he was half a level higher than the military generals, so he ranked third.
Further down are Shi Meng, Yuan Feng, some military officers under Xue Shence, as well as local civil servants in the city.
Zhao Duan glanced over, and most of them were familiar faces. He coughed lightly and spoke first: "I am the governor who led reinforcements here to quell the rebellion according to His Majesty's order.
Where is Taicang Mansion, I have been here last year. Many colleagues here should still have an impression. I will not mention the extra greetings and nonsense. I am the governor "newly arrived" and is not clear about the situation on the front line.
Today's party will discuss the subsequent quelling of rebellion, which will be chaired by the envoy Xue Shumi."
Xue Shence nodded, pointed his hand to a sand table placed in the center of the hall, and explained: "The situation is generally like this. The Huai River was split into two lines in the middle. The Mu King of Yunfu is now rooted in the Huai River. Information shows that Mu King was in the network of some gentry in the Huai River, raising military expenses, and it is very likely to build a second Mu King's Mansion in the Huai River."
He moved his finger forward, moved to the junction of the Huai River and Linfeng, pointing to one here The little flag said in a deep voice:
"The one stationed here is Zhao Shixiong, the commander of the Southwest Border Army. This name is familiar to you and is also the most difficult opponent of the Yunfu rebels. However, after the news of Your Majesty's return to Beijing spread, Zhao Shixiong stopped going north and is now digesting the territory."
Finally, he moved his fingers forward again, and went to a county town called "Ning'an" in Linfeng Road, and said slowly:
"This place is the base camp of the rebel vanguard general Su Dan. Su Dan is in the city, and Ning'an County is northeast. Another Wenshui County is stationed in the small half-man under his command, which is a supportive force with Ning'an County and takes care of each other.
The general who stations troops here is Su Dan's wife's brother. With this Wenshui County as a bridgehead, there are small-scale rebels in the surrounding villages and towns, and the leaders are all Su Dan's confidants."
Zhao Duan looked down at the sand table map and immediately understood the geographical pattern.
Sun Xiaojun was full of energy and said with a quick look: "Because there are few soldiers in the city, it is already difficult to defend, so it is difficult to counterattack. However, now that Governor Zhao has led two battalions to arrive, and Lord Xue is instructed. It is a foregone conclusion to counterattack and take back Ning'an and Fen River!"
Everyone nodded secretly at this conclusion.
It is not blind confidence, but rather a matter of course.
As soon as the reinforcements arrived, the situation reversed. Now there are many soldiers in Taicang Prefecture City, and it may be extremely difficult to defeat Zhao Shixiong, but if you can't do it, everyone here should have apologized for death.
Shi Meng suddenly showed concern and said, "Will King Jing give us time?"
He faced the eyes of all his comrades and said seriously:
"The army is set off, and King Jing on the Eastern Front must know that it will be a while since the Privy Councilor arrived on the Western Front. If the Jianchengdao rebels launched a large-scale chaos at this time, causing unstable Eastern Front and thus involving our troops, how should we deal with it?" Zhao Duan didn't say anything, turned his head to look at Xue Shence, wanting to hear the answer of this "military god".
The most embarrassing place in the two-line battle appeared, there was King Mu in the west and King Jing in the east.
The imperial army has a chance of winning against either side alone, but it is unable to deal with both sides at the same time.
Yuan Feng also echoed:
"Now the two vassal kings have reached an alliance, and they will not be unclear about the principle that their lips are dead and their teeth are cold, so King Jing cannot sit idly by and watch us fight against the Yunfu rebels with all their might without paying attention."
Xue Shence's expression remained unchanged, and he had already been calculating in his heart, and said firmly:
"In my judgment, King Jing will not cause trouble before completely retracting the territory that Linfeng Dao was swallowed up."
He looked at Zhao Duan and explained:
"Although King Jing and King Mu are all alliances, the relationship between this ally is very fragile. Although both sides do not want to see each other be wiped out, they will never want to see each other be stronger than themselves.
Now King Jing has defended the Huai River territory that has been captured and has never set foot in Linfeng, but King Mu has eaten up part of Linfeng's territory. Under such circumstances, King Jing was afraid that he would also want to use the court's hands to weaken the strength of the Yunfu rebels. "
Sun Xiaozhun also nodded, agreeing with this judgment: "The Privy Councilor has been on the Western Front for some time. Prince Jing must have known about the news that reinforcements were leaving the capital, but the Eastern Front has not taken any action for a long time, which can already show his attitude. "
This is an ugly power struggle... Zhao Duan sighed lightly and shook his head to laugh. If the two vassal kings worked together, the court would really not be able to do anything to them, and even the Linfeng might have been abandoned.
But the problem is that the two vassal kings cannot "jointly", and the so-called cooperation and alliance are just forced.
He pondered:
"So, the two think that King Jing actually hopes that we can weaken part of King Mu's military power?"
Xue Shence nodded seriously:
"I guess that the limit that King Jing can accept is to take back the Linfeng territory, including Ning'an County, but if we want to go further and continue to attack Huaishui, King Jing will not sit idly by."
Zhao Duan gently patted the table with his fingers to attract everyone's attention. He smiled and said, "This is a good thing. If there is a rift from the enemy, we can take advantage of the situation. Such a portion of fat is delivered to his mouth. It's no reason not to eat it. Since this is the case, we should counterattack as soon as possible, take back Ning'an County, and drive the rebels out."
Shi Meng smiled and said, "Governor, let the battle to seize the city to our Shenji Camp, just let these thieves see the taste of muskets and cannons."
New firearm... Everyone in the hall lit up. They were also quite curious about the new firearm that destroyed the Qingzhou rebels.
Yuan Feng said:
No mistakes, one poem, one post, one content, one in 6, one book, one bar, one read! "Firearms are indeed powerful, but now they are different from the past. The enemy must be wary of it. Now, it is difficult to have miraculous effects when using firearms. If we talk about land fighting, our fifth military camp will be better at it."
The last time he lost, he was so angry that he wanted to make contributions and be proud. "The two adults came from afar, their troops were exhausted and they didn't know what to do. It would be better to be a leader. We will be a frontman."
A strange officer stood up. This was a local general from Taicang Mansion. He had been sent out to guard the granary and returned hurriedly not long ago.
Zhao Duan raised his eyebrows. Before the battle was fought, a group of people began to compete for the quota.
Sun Xiaozhun smoothed out the situation and said with a wry smile: "Don't fight for it. This matter of seizing the city is not simple. You know, the enemy general Su Dan is best at defending the city. Although we have troops now, if we want to regain the lost land, we have to make plans." Chen Gui, the head of the Firearms Bureau, stroked his beard and spoke:
"What are you afraid of the city walls of a mere county town? Just give me ten cannons and find a suitable place to blow the city walls!"
After the battle in Qingzhou, Chen Huoshen was a little aloof, and everyone wanted to use the cannon to bombard them.
Xue Shence looked at him and said calmly: "I don't doubt the power of the Shenji Camp cannon at all, but what should Su Danruo escorts a large number of civilians in the city in front of the city wall? I've read this person's resume, and he has done something similar."
This... Chen Huoshen, who was proud and satisfied, got stuck and could not answer.
If you use civilians to lead the front, if you forcefully bombard the city with firearms... the result can be imagined. This disgusting method cannot deal with the bandits, but it just happens to restrain the imperial army.
As long as the court dares to fire, the vassal kings who are entrenched in all sides will start to promote crazily, resulting in the orthodox nature of the imperial power being shaken.
You must know that the strongest "weapon" of the court today is not the army, but the orthodoxy.
The Empress has already announced the world and designated all vassal kings as rebels. Once the court starts to bombard the people, the Empress will become a foolish monarch who should be attacked. "Absolutely not possible! Firearms can only be used on rebels, and you must not open the city rashly!"
Mo Chou, who was always silent, spoke firmly, and his tone was unstoppable.
The role of "military supervisor" is reflected in this time.
Xue Shence nodded immediately: "With our troops, it is only a matter of time before we want to regain the lost land. At most, it is no need to use such means."
Everyone agreed, and it was about to set the tone of the meeting.
Suddenly, a general outside the hall hurried in and interrupted the meeting: "Report! The scout in front came from news that the enemy general Su Dan had ordered Ning'an and Wenshui counties to prepare for the city burning. Although there was no action at the moment, he was already stocking up tung oil, charcoal, fire, and thatch!"
What? ! Preparing to burn the city?
This news was like a bomb, causing the originally calm atmosphere of the meeting to change suddenly! "Speak clearly! Tell me clearly! Su Dan wants to burn the city?!" A general stood up and asked loudly.
Xue Shence and others also stared at it.
The general reported the news and was sweating profusely and stuttered: "One of our scouts lurked in Ning'an County to inquire about information. The news he had just sent back said that while Su Dan ordered the siege of the city today, he had already sent a "Twelve Rules for Burning the City" to all places and formulated strict rules.
Including meeting four "signals" at the same time, the enemy's occupied areas would burn the towns at the same time.
At the same time, the enemy was busy transporting the food, money and other goods from the two counties to the Huai River. Judging from the other party's appearance, he knew that it could not stop us, so he was ready to evacuate."
The whole audience was silent!
Zhao Duan's face was expressionless, and a word suddenly popped up in his heart:
The strategy of scorched earth!
Even though he didn't understand military affairs in his previous life, he was well aware of this tactic. The general meaning was:
Once the enemy was too strong and he could not defend his territory, he would burn all the local resources into a scorched earth before evacuation, without leaving the enemy at all. In this way, even if the enemy captured the city, he would not get any supplies.
This is a classic "for time" tactic. Zhao Duan has seen many successful cases of using this strategy in his previous life.
However, he didn't expect that this "June General" would be so decisive! "So that's it... no wonder, when I went to the silver mine, I saw the rebels burning the fields. Now it seems that this is a part of Su Dan's entire tactic...
He knew that once the reinforcements arrived, the eaten territory needed to be spit out, so before we arrived, we attacked the city and tried our best to destroy the mines and granaries... At the same time, we arranged for people to move the snatched resources to the rear and prepare for the city burning..."
"And with the city, they could defend the city to delay time, and wait for the resources to be sent away, or they could not defend it, and then abandon the city and leave... What a decisive person!"
Zhao Duan inhale gently and has a deeper understanding of the "Ju Ren General" who has only seen the name on paper.
Mo Chou's face changed and he said anxiously: "What should we do next? In this way, we don't have much time left! If we continue to eat a little bit and fight steadily, we will give the other party enough time to prepare for evacuation."
The situation changes again!
The good situation suddenly became worse!
Although he can win quickly with a strong attack with artillery, the opponent dares to burn the city and will never mind using civilians as shields.
But without using a firearm, it is difficult to regain the lost ground in a short time.
The atmosphere was solemn, everyone's face was gloomy, and an anxious atmosphere began to permeate! "Why send a master to assassinate the enemy? Now we have many masters of cultivation." Someone suggested. "No! Do you think the enemy general has no means to resist the strong people in the world? And every general is not stupid. As long as the main general is killed and the signal is sent, I am afraid that the city will start burning everywhere immediately!" Someone refuted.
"Sir, leave it to me and fight out of the city immediately. Maybe..."
"There are walls to defend! Isn't it easy to attack the city?"
"In my opinion, it should..."
For a moment, the hall was noisy and chaotic, and various ideas were raised, but they were quickly extinguished.
Xue Shence raised his hand to suppress the sound wave. His face was extremely solemn, but his voice was still calm:
"Don't be anxious. Su Dan will not abandon his territory at will without a desperate situation. King Mu will not agree! With my understanding of this person, he will definitely try to fight with us. Only when he really can't defend, will he implement scorched earth, so we still have time."
After a pause, he glanced at everyone:
"Three days, it will take at least three days for the other party to complete the preparation for the Burning City!
Next, everyone stays and discusses together. Before tomorrow, be sure to come up with at least three sets of strategies to counterattack as smoothly as possible!"
He turned to Sun Xiaozhun:
"Major Sun, you have to worry about the big and small affairs in the city."
Sun Xiaojun nodded vigorously, and the thin black and thin prefect seemed to have become whiter in his hair.
Xue Shence looked at Zhao Duan and Mo Chou again, and said ashamed: "Governor Zhao..."
Zhao Duan stood up and said calmly:
"I don't know how to lead troops to fight, so I don't participate in the specific tactical arrangements. I go first and then rest. I was ordered to supervise the army, and the specific formation and battle arrangements were decided by Xu Seo. "
He knew very well how terrible it was for laymen to guide experts, so he clearly stated that he would not interfere in specific matters.
Xue Shence gave her grateful eyes.
Zhao Duan turned his head and looked at Mo Chou who was still sitting in the same place: "Where are you?"
Mochou bit his lip and said, "I'll listen here for a while, you can go and rest first."
It seemed as if you could understand it here... Zhao Duan shook his head and walked out alone.
No one watched him leave. Even the generals of the Shenji Camp such as Shi Meng and Chen Gui were all sitting in front of the sand table, discussing tactics around Xue Shence.
The sound is noisy and warm, but it has nothing to do with Zhao Duan.
Even if he defeated the Qingzhou Army, everyone knew that it was the credit of the firearm. Therefore, as long as the Shenji Camp is here and Chen Gui is here, it is enough.
When facing the real decision-making and trading on the battlefield, it is a difficult and almost impossible task to regain the lost land within three days.
Everyone's eyes will only focus on Xue Shence.
Put your hope on this "Dayu Army God".
Just like when an enemy attacks a city, as long as you see Xue Shence's figure like a flag on the top of the city, your morale will be stable.
On the front-line battlefield, the "God of War" is the real protagonist.
The discussion behind him became farther and farther away. When Zhao Duan stepped out of the courtyard gate of the "Command Center", he paused briefly, turned his head and looked back at the "conference room" deep in the sky, and looked up and saw that the dark clouds were covering the sky.
He whispered softly: "Will the flames burn the city in three days?"
"Ha, it's a bit interesting."
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ps: Happy Lantern Festival everyone
(This chapter is over)