Chapter 353 Loyalty
After eating a mouthful of fatty bacon, Zhen Ku finally came to life.
Although we had only been on the city for more than ten days, Zhen Ku felt like a lifetime had passed. It’s not that he has never encountered wars and chaos, he said that Zhongshan where he was, Xianbei and Wuhuan had all invaded. But at that time, he was protected by clan soldiers and protected by the dock wall. How could it be compared to what it is now?
Thinking of this, Zhen Ku scolded Na Jushou again in her heart. He was really careless and treated the meritorious officials harshly!
After dividing the remaining meat among the more than ten disciples who had been with him through life and death, Zhen Ku lay down on the chair and rested contentedly.
Not to mention, after those ten days in the city, Zhen Ku treats these people differently than before. Otherwise, do these people deserve to eat meat?
The heavy rain outside is still pouring down, and there is no sign of it stopping. Amid the lightning and thunder, Zhen Ku felt complacent when she thought of the officials guarding the city.
I, Lao Zhen, am still the smartest.
……
Who in this world can be smarter than anyone else?
When the slope outside the city collapsed, the officials on the city became slack. In addition, it was raining heavily and there was no shelter upstairs, so no surprise, everyone went down to the city to take shelter from the rain and rest.
It was a long night with torrential rain, so what could happen?
So the surprise came.
Amidst the sound of thunder, the three nest carts standing at the Dianwei camp outside the city moved.
These three nest carts have not been moved since they were erected, which only made the Han troops in the city think that they were watchtowers built by the rebels.
In the heavy rain, no one shouted.
Hundreds of people were wearing raincoats and pulling ropes in front of them. These Zhao disciples who were accustomed to hard work did not feel how hard it was. Instead, they looked forward to the hot wine provided after returning to the camp.
To say that this Taishan Army is decent after all, there is nothing to say about these poor people. It is said that this wine is not allowed to be drunk in the army, but it is specially provided to keep them away from the cold.
They have nothing to say, and they barefoot can't even say nice things. Anyway, they are just working hard.
When hundreds of people in front pulled three nest carts slowly approaching the city wall, three battalions of soldiers lined up behind the nest cart, all wearing coir raincoats and hats, marching silently in the heavy rain.
The roaring thunder perfectly covered up the roaring and moving sound of the nest car.
Soon the nest car had reached the edge of the ditch and stopped.
In front of the battalion on the far left, a red-clad soldier said to Dian Wei:
"Colonel, let's stop here. I, Chen Guang, will definitely lead my troops to pull out the city."
Dian Wei patted Chen Guang on the shoulder and said with a smile:
"Well, I believe you. But what I mean is that if, if things go wrong, we will take our brothers and withdraw. I, Dianwei, have already lost two old generals, and I don't want you to do this again."
< br>
Chen Guang bared his teeth and smiled, looking at the dark city in front of him, he said with a ferocious smile:
"Don't worry. Lieutenant, just wait for my victory report below, and watch me unscrew the thief's head and present it to you."
Dian Wei hammered Chen Guang's breastplate:
"Yes, they are my soldiers. If I, Lao Dian, were not allowed to climb first due to repeated orders from Commander Guan, I must have led you to kill him. Then I will wait for you here. Go ahead."
Then Chen Guang took the lead, armed with a short iron spear, and climbed up the ladder from the chao car. Then a group of fifty armored soldiers followed.
The same was true for the other two nest cars, both of which were led by generals and elite soldiers who stepped onto the stage first.
Following Chen Guang’s order:
"Put"
The pedal of the left chariot was put down first, and then it hit the head of Xiangguo City with a loud bang. Then there were two more loud noises, and the other two chariots were also preparing to board the city.
These three sounds were so loud that even the Han army officials who had retreated to the city heard them clearly. A few capable military officials immediately realized that something was wrong, and hurriedly led their subordinates to the top of the city.
When they reached the top of the city, the last Taishan Army soldier on the opposite side jumped onto the top of the city.
The two sides looked at each other in the rainstorm, then shouted loudly, and the two sides fought together.
Seeing that the three strange vehicles were still transporting enemy troops to the city, the Han army hurriedly ordered the archers to fire arrows to burn the three strange vehicles.
After this order, the archers looked at each other, and one person boldly asked:
"With such a heavy rain, even a bowstring can't be pulled, let alone a fire arrow?"
The officials scolded the other people for being stupid and scolded them for not knowing how to use kerosene? If the bow and arrow cannot be shot, then throw it with a torch. In short, he only wants results.
After being scolded, the archers hurriedly went to find kerosene, but instead divided the forces that were resisting the Taishan Army head-on.
But there are some really smart people in the Han army. Seeing this situation, it is certain that the city cannot be defended. He banged the alarm bell on the top of the city hard to give an early warning to the city, and then led his men to retreat from the top of the city, and then prepared to evacuate to Wengcheng along the corridor.
As the Han army at the head of the city continued to retreat, the Taishan army soon firmly occupied the outer city of Xiang. But what is surprising is that the Taishan Army occupying the outer city did not pursue them one after another. Instead, they continued to move forward along the slope, firmly occupying both walls of the corridor.
……
The sharp and high-pitched alarm bell penetrated into the inner city even amid the thunder.
When Jushou heard the warning, he was crouching at his desk and meditating on the talisman of King Changshan that Liu Hui had given him earlier.
He still had doubts about Liu Hui. On the one hand, the blood stains on the seal did not look new, and on the other hand, it was the message Liu Hui had given before, which went too smoothly.
Liu Hui said that Changshan State had sent out 8,000 soldiers and 2,000 Wuhuan soldiers. They had gone south past the Bairen line and were now on the south bank of the Zhu River. They could raid the rebel camp outside the city at any time.
He came to the city this time to agree on a time for the attack with Jushou, so that they could attack from both sides.
To be honest, Jushou couldn't believe that this situation was so good. Other countries are beggar-thy-neighbours, but Changshan is so anxious about justice?
In addition, he still understands the nature of King Changshan. He is not as exaggerated as greed for life and fear of death, but he is also as timid as a mouse and has no responsibility. Does he have the guts to support Changshan's soldiers going south?
Therefore, from the beginning, Jushuo did not place the hope of reinforcements on the four countries in the north of the county. Instead, he believed that Julu County was more likely to send reinforcements.
But is it still the same sentence in a thousand words?
What if this is true?
So this is where the complexity lies. As for Qi Jushou, how could he not want this to be true? After all, there are more than ten thousand troops on the side. As long as he and Changshan work together, the Taishan bandits can be defeated!
Holding the talisman, Jushou finally made up his mind to detain Liu Hui. He decided not to take the risk.
But at this moment, an unexpected alarm bell suddenly sounded. Jushou was so frightened that he couldn't care about Liu Hui anymore, so he rushed out of the house in his clothes.
At this time, in the corridors and alleys on both sides, the shogunate's staff and generals came one after another. When they saw Jushou coming out, they quickly surrounded him.
As soon as Jushou came out, he asked: "Where did the warning sound come from?"
Liu Gu, dressed in military uniform, came out of the queue with his fists clasped and replied:
"Returning to the Prime Minister, the sound is the sound of security at the city gate."
Jushou wanted to continue asking, but a military official covered in mud had already rushed over. He was a military official stationed in Wengcheng and said:
"Prime Minister, the outer city has been captured!"
"What?"
At this time, many staff and generals were shocked. They could not understand how the Taishan bandits attacked the city in the heavy rain.
But it is useless to discuss this now. Jushou then said to the soldier who sent the letter:
"Where are the bandits now?"
But unexpectedly, the military officer told everyone that after taking the outer city, the Taishan Army did not break in but cleared the stone pile at the city gate and guarded the city gate and wall.
Just when Jushou was still thinking, Liu Hui, who had been hiding on one side, suddenly walked out of the queue and said to Jushou:
"Prime Minister, the news about the Changshan Kingdom's reinforcements must have been discovered by the Taishan bandits, so they have to attack the city despite the rain. As for whether they stop or not attack, it is not difficult to understand. Night fighting has been the most difficult since ancient times, and it is in this heavy rain. , it’s okay to fight on the top of the city, but once you get down and attack the city, you will be defeated if you are not familiar with the place.”
With Liu Hui's reminder, many generals also held this view, believing that the Taishan Army was waiting for dawn before attacking the city.
As a result, many people secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Jushou frowned and ordered his general Ding Wu to lead the red-headed army out of Wengcheng to recapture the outer city and the inner city.
Hearing this order, the crowd including Li Ding, Zhao Rong and other generals were secretly stunned:
This country is really cruel to its own people!
A night attack with a superior force of thieves under heavy rain is also a dare.
Everyone present knew the difficulty of this task. But Ding Wu didn't even frown and followed the order.
Then Jushou asked Chusi to prepare some food for the staff and generals, and then called Liu Hui into the room alone.
Liu Hui followed him in calmly, but then he heard a shocking voice. Jushou asked:
"As a descendant of the Liu family, why are you a thief?"
Liu Hui's heart tightened, and when he was about to argue, he heard Ju Shou talking to himself:
"Indeed, if I were Queen Zhending, I would probably vote for the Taishan Bandit. After all, I was persecuted like that by the Han Dynasty, and I see that the Taishan Bandit seems to be someone who can achieve success, so why not vote? I will vote too!"
Liu Hui, who heard this, was about to defend himself, but suddenly he asked out of nowhere:
"Then why didn't Prime Minister Ju vote?"
As soon as he said this, Liu Hui secretly said something bad.
Sure enough, Ju Shou looked at him with a smile, and then smiled miserably:
"Why don't I vote? I have been promoted by Marshal Lu so far. I have to be loyal to my duties and have an account of my trust in him? Besides, Taishan thieves and Tao thieves are also enemies of my famous religion. How could I, Jushou, vote for me like this? People.”
Liu Hui listened carefully and then asked:
"Mr. Ju, you have lived up to Commander Lu, so Commander Lu has lived up to you? You are sitting in the city of sleepiness, but do you have any soldiers here?"
Jushou interrupted Liu Hui's words and said seriously:
"Okay, you have indeed joined the Taishan bandits. You said before that there were reinforcements from the Changshan Kingdom, but now you say that there are no soldiers at all."
Faced with Ju Shou's revelation, Liu Hui showed no fear. Because he found a bigger opportunity, which was to persuade Jushou to surrender, although if he was not careful, he might lose his life.
But a real man seeks wealth in danger! Without this awareness, why would you join the Taishan Army? Why not go farming in the mountains?
Therefore, Liu Hui was calm and composed and taught Ju:
"Jugong, you can see clearly for yourself. If you can't live up to it, you can be said to have lived up to your defense of Lu Zhi for more than a month. But can Lu Zhi divide his troops and kill you? After you are surrounded, you can Are there any reinforcements for you? In fact, Mr. Ju, you are the abandoned one.”
Jushou was silent. Just when Liu Hui thought his persuasion was effective, Jushou replied:
"You are right. But my loyalty is not to be loyal to a certain person, but to live up to the faith in my heart. If it is just a reciprocal exchange of loyalty, wouldn't I, Jushou, be an ordinary mortal?"< br>
Liu Hui really couldn't understand what Ju Shu said. Even Confucius said, "The king treats his ministers with courtesy, and the ministers serve the king with loyalty." Mencius also said, "If the king treats his ministers as his hands and feet, then his ministers will treat him as his heart. If you treat your ministers like dogs and horses, then your ministers will regard you as a fellow countryman; if you regard your ministers as grass and grass, then your ministers will regard you as a bandit."
Treat others how you should treat others. This is how you should treat others. There is no one like you, Jushu. Isn’t that foolish loyalty?
In fact, if Zhang Chong stood here, he might understand Ju Shou.
No wonder Yuan Shao used him as his mastermind in history, refused to accept his loyal advice, and captured his army. In the end, he was willing to die for Yuan Shao and refused to surrender. It turns out that this man is a pure person who is loyal to a certain idea and lives by it. Maybe later generations like Yue Fei will be like this too.
Although Liu Hui did not understand, Liu Hui was deeply moved by those who could sacrifice their lives for righteousness, so he advised again:
"Jugong, you know the current situation. Now that the outer city has been lost, you are very cautious and did not choose to attack the complicated Wengcheng at night. Do you really think that the Red Head Army can capture the city gate in this situation? I guess it's possible. Mr. Ju, you don’t believe it yourself.”
Pursing her lips and looking at the weak Jushou, even though she couldn't bear it, Liu Hui still said cruel words:
"So at dawn tomorrow, the city of Xiangguo will fall. Although the urn city you designed is exquisite, Mr. Ju, it cannot withstand the thunderous strike of Taishan Army. Once the city is destroyed, even if you are not afraid of death, you will Don’t you care about your youngest son?”
Threatening a young child made Liu Hui, an upright hero, feel uncomfortable, but this was the only way to save Ju Shou.
But who would have expected that when these words came to Jushou, Liu Hui gave Liu Hui a sly smile, and then Jushou said:
"So I decided to entrust Hu'er to you! After the city is broken, I hope you will take my son to Julu and entrust him to my younger brother Ju Zong, so that he can raise Hu'er up."
Liu Hui laughed angrily at Ju Shou's words, and he asked directly:
"Mr. Ju, you think this is too good. Why should I agree to this?"
Unexpectedly, Jushu said something that Liu Hui could not refuse:
"Don't you believe that you should treat others how they treat you? I will spare your life today in exchange for your life as my son's. Do you think this is true?"
Liu Hui was stunned for a long time by these words, and finally he could only agree.
Just because what Jushou said really makes sense. He dare not refuse!
……
Sure enough, the red-headed troops leaving the city were attacked head-on by the Taishan Army. Encircled by the Taishan Army, this elite armored force surrendered after a fierce battle.
Jushu's general Ding Wu also laid down his sword and chose to surrender. He felt that this time Duomen Station had repaid Jushou's kindness, and he would return for himself later.
Therefore, there are still a small number of people who make a living from ideas.
After cleaning the battlefield, the Taishan Army flew the news of victory to the Jitoushan Camp outside the city.
Guan Yu received the good news, even with his iron will, he couldn't help but sigh:
"Finally the country of Xiang has been defeated!"
Then, he couldn't help but look to the south, which was in the direction of Handan. At this time, he was being attacked by the Julu Han army, and he could no longer go back.
(End of chapter)