Chapter 150： Year off

The Yan family has a wealth of scholarship for generations, so it has accumulated millions of books. Yan Jing became a high-ranking official when he was the first emperor. Naturally, he would find the right scholarly family to marry his son, otherwise he wouldn't be so unhappy with Mrs. Yan San.

Mrs. Yan Er came from a family, and she was trained to be a housewife in the door since she was a child. She is knowledgeable and reasonable, but she also has to learn to manage financial affairs, sort out personnel, and analyze contracts. When we arrived in Yancheng, most of the female family members here were the wives of middle- and low-level military generals. Few people knew how to literate and hyphenate. The wives of the merchants were not convinced, so Mrs. Yan Er quickly became the eldest sister of the ladies in the city with her family and talent. Big, came forward to establish the "Injury Care and Supply Center" designed by Ji Wenzhao in accordance with Shen Wen's advice. She asked people to find large houses in the Sifang Chengguan of the city. A dozen stoves were built in each place, dozens of vacancies were requisitioned, and the cooks and housewives of various families were mobilized to boil water and cook rice, and let the female relatives who did not leave. This takes care of the wounded. Mrs. Yan Er sat in one of them, and Ji Yan managed the other center.

Ji Yan used to live alone with Ji Wenzhao, no matter too many things. When she saw people, she spoke very softly. She originally only wanted to give Mrs. Yan Er a shot, but because she was the wife of the third-ranking division and was respected by everyone, Mrs. Yan Er asked her to single out. Affairs.

In such a matter, Mrs. Yan Er stopped bored in the house, and naturally heard all kinds of rumors.

After the Yan clan left for two days, Mrs. Yan Er heard that Bei Rong in the northeast had invaded. There were hundreds of thousands of people. Supervisor Shen of the Shen Jiajun led hundreds of sergeants to stop them. These people were a death squad and probably wouldn't be able to return.

Mrs. Yan Er couldn't cry bitterly in front of others. She endured a day's tears and cried aloud after returning home in the evening.

Yan Erguan is in charge of the household registration, and the information is naturally more informed. He has long known this disparate ratio, and he feels equally heavy. He returned to the yard, heard his wife's cry, and hurriedly managed to get in and persuade.

He sat next to Mrs. Yan Er and whispered: "Don't cry like this, I'll tell you a secret thing..."

Mrs. Yan Er stopped crying and looked up happily: "She hasn't left the city! Where is she hiding!"

Yan Erguan sighed: "Why did she come here for such a thing?"

The second Mrs. Yan cried again: "This unfilial one! Married a wife... If you marry someone, you will forget your parents! I will be her daughter in the next life! I'm so angry with her!"

Yan Erguan smiled bitterly, and whispered in Mrs. Yan Er's ear: "She told me when she left, don't believe anyone and don't be really sad..."

Mrs. Yan Er raised her head from the handkerchief again: "She said so!"

Yan Erguan nodded, and Mrs. Yan Er frowned: "That kid has been weird since childhood, is she going to design others again"

Yan Erguan nodded quickly, and Mrs. Yan Er said worriedly: "But they said there are hundreds of thousands in Beirong over there! Governor Shen only has a few hundred people..."

Yan Erguan didn't dare to delve into it, and said stubbornly: "Anyway, our children said let us wait here for her to come back!"

Mrs. Yan Er nodded: "Okay! We'll be waiting here! She said she would come back, so she will!"

Even though I said that, neither husband nor wife can rest assured, they are awake at night and have their first gray hair. Yan Erguan had heard that the main force of Bei Rong had passed through the border a few days ago, so he stayed at the household registration office all night. As the sky dawned, he heard the horn blowing vigorously in the city, and he knew that Bei Rong was approaching. Yan Erguan was no longer able to calm down, and ran to the northeast gate of the city after he left his household registration. His daughter was still outside! Can she come back!

Zhenbeihou and Ji Wenzhao hurriedly reached the northeast gate. A sergeant pointed to the northeast and shouted, "There! There!"

From afar, a group of men and horses from far away was approaching here, playing Shen Yi's red flag and the Chinese army's yellow "Shen" flag.

Zhenbeihou said, "Blow the trumpet and greet them!"

Someone blew the assembly horn, and the loud horns cut through the sky again and again.

Shen Yi said loudly, "Hurry up!" But he also knew that they had been riding for four or five hours overnight, and they were tired and tired and couldn't run fast.

The soldiers were very optimistic: "It's okay, we can fight a battle if they come over!"

"Yes, yes! I tell you, I can make a lot of progress now! The battlefield is different from training..."

Shen Yi shouted: "Shut up! Run! Otherwise I will punish you to run ten laps around Yancheng!"

No one dared to speak, because Shen Yi had always done what he said, and this group was afraid of being punished by him.

You can see from the head of Yancheng that the cavalry in the north seemed to have discovered the cavalry outside the city. A large group of thousands of cavalry separated from the Beirong army and came galloping here with dust.

Ji Wenzhao said to Zhenbeihou: "Please allow me to adjust the gunpowder soldiers."

Zhenbeihou looked at the distance and said, "What kind of gunpowder soldiers are too fast, even the bows and crossbows can't stop them. If you order 10,000 soldiers and horses, I will go out to meet them!" He doesn't believe in gunpowder. Generally, gunpowder is used in fire attack. At that time, it was tied to the arrow and shot out, causing a fire. Now these cavalry are moving fast, can break through the shooting of crossbows, and the arrows that tie the fire can't stop them.

Ji Wenzhao pleaded: "Please Hou Ye let me try!"

Zhenbeihou frowned. Seeing that the cavalrymen of Shen Jiajun to the east were not running as fast as Beirong, he nodded. Ji Wenzhao said to Chuan Lingbing: "Let the fifty gunpowder soldiers go out of the east gate and put a long snake formation in front of you. North. Use throwing racks, only firecrackers. One hundred strong crossbowmen are on standby!"

Zhenbeihou will deny him-the long snake formation is the most useless one in the formation. It is not conducive to attacking or defensive. It is to arrange people in a single row. How can this stop the rapid arrival of the north? Besides, it’s important to save people now. How could it be possible to use only firecrackers, but Ji Wenzhao said to him with great confidence: "Master Hou, please take a look at their effects first. If it fails, we still have a crossbow squad." He didn’t want to. Let Bei Rong feel that they are very powerful.

Zhenbeihou was skeptical. He looked up and said, "I'm out of town now!"

Ji Wenzhao quickly said: "Hoye Houye! Don't go! You don't need to go! Wait a minute, look..." He pulled Zhenbeihou's sleeve tightly and pointed to the city gate.

Below the city gate, a group of soldiers came out of the city carrying more than twenty half-person-high wooden shelves, and then faced the north in a long line. Some soldiers carried the big basket to the shelf and put something like a small square bag on a wooden arm hanging down from the shelf.

Zhenbeihou was puzzled: "What is this!"

Ji Wenzhao smiled and said, "It's just a simple trebuchet."

Seeing the cavalry from Beirong approaching, Ji Wenzhao motioned to the messenger: "Let them throw!"

When the flag was swung, the soldiers lit the small square bag and stepped on the pedals on the shelf violently. In an instant, a small square bag flew in the sky and fell into the rushing horse team. Then there was a continuous explosion of firecrackers, crackling, endless.

Zhenbei Hou was surprised: "These are firecrackers!"

Ji Wenzhao nodded: "It's close in recent years, and there are many firecrackers available."

If a firecracker blasts a person’s ears, and the person has to avoid it, the horse’s hearing is more sensitive than a person’s, and it is more frightened. Although Bei Rong's horses have gone through battles, they have not been disturbed by the sound of firecrackers. The rolls of long firecrackers in the square bag, once ignited, continue to explode, and the horse team is galloping again. If a horse stumbles or changes direction, it will tire the dozen horses behind. It turned out that the cavalry formation that came like a cloud suddenly became chaotic. The horses screamed, some knights were thrown to the ground, and some horses turned and ran in a mess. The advancing formation slowed down and dispersed.

Taking advantage of this precious short time, Shen Yi's horse team rushed over and Ji Wenzhao issued an order loudly: "Retract the gunpowder soldiers!" At the flag, some of the gunpowder soldiers sent out another cannonball bag before running back carrying the shelf. The Beirong cavalry who had been disturbed by the artillery battle gathered and approached again. While shooting arrows at them, the soldiers led by Shen Yi ran into the open gate of the city. The people in the city also shot arrows with their long bows to force Beirong’s cavalry to wait until the end. A soldier of the Shen family entered the gate, and the city gate was closed suddenly. The Northern Rong cavalry wandered about dozens of feet away from the gate and shot a burst of arrows at the city before slowly retreating.

Zhenbeihou hurried down to the city. When he reached the city gate, he suddenly stopped, and pointed in surprise at something beside a group of sergeants waiting by the city gate, "What is this!"

He saw it, but he didn't dare to say bluntly, these are bed crossbows! Because of its high lethality, the method of making the bed crossbow has always been a secret kept by the court. His army did not have this technology, and he did not dare to ask the court at all, so as not to arouse the emperor's suspicion.

Ji Wenzhao said casually: "Oh, these are crossbows with a long range."

Zhenbeihou looked at Ji Wenzhao with wide eyes. Ji Wenzhao smiled and said, "It is Supervisor Shen, I just took over from Supervisor Shen..."

Zhenbei Hou Ran whispered: "Impossible! He doesn't even know how to make it!"

Ji Wenzhao opened his hands and said, "Well, it's the drawing I gave!"

Zhenbeihou stared at Ji Wenzhao dead, and Ji Wenzhao stared at the sky: "I once interpreted a hexagram and figured out that this year's Bei Rong invaded. If our army does not have sophisticated weapons, it would be difficult to survive. So I read ancient books... oh, with me. You said that I married the granddaughter of my mentor, Yan, the old official. My mentor’s family has a collection of books for generations. There are millions of books, so I finally got this picture of the crossbow..." Sorry, Miss Shen Er!

Zhenbeihou gritted his teeth: "Why didn't you tell me! If this is to let the emperor..."

Ji Wenzhao looked down at Zhenbeihou very seriously: "This is why I didn't tell Master Hou. If I did, Master Hou would believe me or would be more concerned about the emperor's reaction."

Zhenbei Housheng sullen: "But Governor Shen...heard your words."

Ji Wenzhao said of course: "Because the Yan Junshi next to him is his... eldest brother-in-law! It is also the grandson... son of my mentor! He has known me... for a long time..."

Zhenbeihou was upset in his heart, stopped saying anything, speeded up his pace, and went to see if Shen Yi had brought Shen Jian back.

The streets of the city were full of horses and soldiers who got off their horses and shouted tiredly.

Someone lay on the street and said loudly: "I want to sleep! How many nights!" Someone was already lying on the side of the road and fell asleep.

A person yelled: "Come here! Medical care! Carry these people into the house to sleep! I don't care if I get typhoid fever..."

Zhenbeihou was patrolling Bingmali and finally saw Shen Jian who was leading the horse. A middle-aged man beside him cried and said, "My son! You are really back!"

The man was a back figure. Zhenbeihou couldn't take a closer look. If it wasn't for the soldiers of the Shen family around him, Zhenbeihou would also like to pull Shen Jian and cry like this. He walked over and asked Shen Jian very seriously: "Shen Jian Supervisor, where did you hurt!" Shen Jian looked up and down.

Shen Jian hurriedly saluted and said, "Master Hou! Bei Rong on the Northeast Road has retreated..."

Zhenbeihou interrupted: "Say it! Where did it hurt?"

Shen Jian had no choice but to say: "...the heel...touched..."

Zhenbeihou let out a sigh of relief and said, "Follow me to the army!" He went straight away with a black face.

Shen Jian was a little nervous, and the Yan clan who was carrying them next to him turned around and whispered: "You are so stupid! You should say that you have been seriously injured!"

When Yan Erguan saw the knights rushing in from the city gate, there was infinite hope in his heart. When he saw Yan coming down from the horse, Yan Erguan officially cried. He rushed over and took Yan's hand... Now, hearing Yan's words, the second official Yan raised his hand: "You are unfilial!" But the hand finally fell, and Shen Jian said to Yan, "You Go back with your dad, take a good rest, there will be busy later!"

Yan nodded, and Shen Jian saluted the second official Yan and said, "Thank you, father-in-law!" He gave me such a good daughter.

Yan Erguan deeply sighed: "Is it too late to regret marriage now?"

Yan Shi laughed, took Yan Erguan's arm and said, "Let's go, Dad, go back to see your mother."

Seeing that his father and daughter were walking away, Shen Jian thought of his father's unkind expression, and decided to find Shen Yi first, and then return to the army together.

Mrs. Yan Er also stayed up all night. She was used to having Yan Erguan by her side and her husband was absent, so she couldn't feel at ease.

In the early hours of the morning, suddenly, a horn from the city was heard from a distance, and then there was a voice of people in the city. Someone along the street was knocking on clappers, asking everyone to go to work as soon as possible, and go home as soon as possible, saying that the Bei Rong army had arrived outside the city!

Ji Yan got up, hurriedly freshened up, went to Mrs. Yan Er's room, saw Mrs. Yan Er's face full of tears, and looked out the window foolishly.

Another clapper on the street: "The city gate is closed! The city gate is closed! You can't leave the city for no reason!"

Ji Yan also burst into tears: the city is closed, and if Yan is locked outside the city, there is almost no hope of surviving...

Mrs. Yan Er choked and said: "You go to replace me... one day, I can't stand up..."

Ji Yan cried: "It's...not yet...the last time...maybe...she fled elsewhere."

Mrs. Yan Er seemed to have grabbed the straw and nodded: "Yes! She is the most clever, you know, she said crazy things that many men are inferior to her..."

Ji Yan nodded vigorously: "Many men...really inferior to her..."

Mrs. Yan Er took off the hosta from her head and handed it to Ji Yan, saying: "Let’s come out, there is nothing valuable with you. You take this to my nephew Ji and let him think about buying this yard. I have to be here. Waiting for her, even if I died, buried me here, she said she would come back..."

Ji Yan cried: "Aunt!" The two cried together, I don't know how long it took...

The courtyard door banged loudly, and the Yan family shouted outside: "Mother! I'm back!"

Mrs. Yan Er was stunned, Ji Yan wiped her face, went out hurriedly, opened the door and pulled Yan's hand and cried: "You scared us to death!"

Mrs. Yan Er came out, crying and said, "You are unfilial! You are killing me!"

Yan gave a haphazardly and yawned: "Mother! I'm exhausted! Hurry up! Do I have anything to eat? I want to take a bath! I'm freezing to death!..."

Mrs. Yan Er pointed to Yan's back with angrily: "My friend!" This daughter is so worried about her! She was worried that she could not find her husband's family because of her bad reputation, or that she would show her true colors when she was at her husband's house and be put back by others. But no matter how bad she thinks, reality can always be worse than she thought!

The second official Yan followed into the yard, holding the parent’s calm frame and said, "Okay, the child is tired, go and prepare hot water." He turned and closed the courtyard door, and whispered to Mrs. Yan Er: "They Thousands of people repelled Beirong and hundreds of thousands..."

Both Mrs. Yan Er and Ji Yan were shocked: "Really!"

Yan Erguan was proud and twisted his beard: "This is a secret, don't tell me what she tells me! These children are all heroes, it's a pity that they are not men, otherwise my Yan family must have..."

Mrs. Yan Er waved her hand and said, "It's okay! I don't want anything! My children will be fine when they come back!" She said to Ji Yan, "You really have to take care of me today. I have to take care of that rascal at home! God! What! What do I owe her! Let her make me to death!" Madam Yan Er went back to the house while complaining, and found that Yan had fallen asleep on the bed with his clothes.

Shen Jian was also very sleepy, but he couldn't sleep. He shuttled back and forth in the crowd and finally found Shen Yi.

Shen Yi was instructing Qi Conglin to take the soldiers back to the camp and rest, not to sleep on the street.

Qi Conglin responded. Just about to leave, he suddenly turned around and said, "That crossbow is very expensive! Go and talk to the third-ranking division, don't use it casually." When he entered the city, he saw the crossbow team on standby.

A soldier next to him said: "Yes, we only used it once! He was so distressed that he cried..."

Qi Conglin defended dissatisfiedly: "Who is crying!"

Shen Yi glanced at the soldier, who shrank his head, saluted and ran away. Shen Yi said to Conglin, "You have to be harder! The spring green next to my elder sister is not a temper. I heard that I have fought with my elder sister and the prince's guard."

Qi Conglin smiled embarrassedly and scratched his head: "It is not easy to marry a daughter-in-law, not to mention that she is so beautiful..."

Shen Yi was angry: "Go to sleep! Don't make me angry!" Qi Conglin hurriedly called for someone to leave.

Shen Jian smiled and said to Shen Yi: "He is very good, you need such a person to be your deputy."

Shen Yi snorted, walked side by side with Shen Jian, and whispered: "Father must ask you where the money for making weapons and building the lost city came from. You push it on me, I will say..."

Shen Yi and Shen Jian went to the Chinese Army and told Zhenbeihou and Ji Wenzhao about the process of blocking Beirong on the Northeast Road, and about the four princesses who killed Huolo.

Zhenbeihou frowned and listened, and then he was silent for a long time. Shen Jian was waiting for Zhenbeihou to praise himself. Zhenbeihou slowly asked, "Is there anything you are hiding from me?" This is obviously another time. How much did these people hide from him!

Shen Jian looked at Shen Yi, and Shen Yi shook his head very slightly. Zhenbeihou immediately turned to look at Shen Yi, and Shen Yi said frankly: "This matter... is all the idea of ​​the third-ranked division!"

Ji Wenzhao coughed and said to Zhenbeihou: "It is indeed, Lord Hou, as I said to you, I figured it out..."

Zhenbeihou stopped him: "You said it! But building such a large project, making weapons, and recruiting labor requires huge amounts of money! You said Governor Shen mobilized material needs..." He looked at Shen Jian, "You Where did the money come from!"

Because of the preparation, Shen Yi said nonchalantly: "I grabbed it!"

Zhenbei Hou looked at Shen Yi suddenly: "You grabbed it!"

Shen Yi nodded: "There are a few rich merchants. I robbed them and gave the money to Supervisor Shen."

Zhenbei Hou Qingjin violent: "What is the name of the merchant!"

Shen Yi said indifferently: "It's Mrs. Ping Yuan Hou's merchant, very rich!"

Zhenbeihou pointed to Shen Yi: "You! Ping Yuanhou has no grievances and no enmity with us, you are setting up an enemy for us! He was still my friend in the past, how can I have the face to see him in the future..."

Ji Wenzhao made the rounds: "Master Hou, Bei Rong is now outside the city. It's really not the time to talk about this! The most important thing is how to prepare for a long defense."

Zhenbeihou was a little puzzled: "Why do we have a crossbow for so long? We can order Sergeant Qi and fight Tugu Khan to the death!"

Ji Wenzhao shook his head: "Neither! Now there are more than 400,000 people in Beirong. Our army cannot guarantee victory even if they use bed crossbows. I want them to continue to siege the city and consume troops. Things like bed crossbows must be Wait until the end."

Shen Yi agreed: "It takes too many arrows."

Zhenbeihou felt that his combat experience was greatly challenged, and asked: "Why?"

Ji Wenzhao said: "I am afraid that Bei Rong will be frightened as soon as I use the crossbow. I want Tugu Khan to think that success is hopeful, and continue to attack for two or three months!" At that time, Shen Wen took everyone to Bei Rong. The injured man agreed for two months.

Shen Yi nodded and said, "Yes, before the decisive battle, drag them down first!"

Shen Jian also beat the drum: "Then annihilate the enemy and ensure the final victory."

Zhenbei Hou said with some anxiety: "How can it be possible to do with the food in March?"

Ji Wenzhao said: "We have enough rations."

Zhenbeihou asked: "How are the people in the city?"

Ji Wenzhao said: "Most of the people have already evacuated, and those who stay will help defend the city. I have negotiated with the rich in the city. In the face of the national crisis, we will help each other. Each family will contribute surplus food and share it with the people."

Zhenbeihou felt the doubts in his heart again-these preparations were so thoughtful. He looked at Ji Wenzhao, and then at Shen Yi and Shen Jian. He was depressed: These three people obviously emptied him! He asked angrily: "What do you want me to do!"

Shen Yi and Shen Jian both lowered their eyes and did not speak, but Ji Wenzhao was not stingy at all, and said with a flying look: "There are many things for Hou Ye to do! For example! Hou Ye wants to command the soldiers to defend the city; when the other party is willing to retreat, he will lose a battle. ; To allow the opponent to capture the North Gate and enter the lost city; to pretend to be injured, it is better to report death..."

Zhenbeihou looked at Ji Wenzhao angrily: "You can become the coach!"

Ji Wenzhao said hurriedly: "How can it be done! I play the title of Ji family, what if the soldiers don't follow me!"

Zhenbei Hou was speechless to Ji Wenzhao's arrogance. Shen Jian said with a smile: "Hou Ye, the third-ranked division masters astronomy and geography. He is a national game player. The so-called soldiers are not tired of fraud..."

Zhenbeihou said: "You don't use it to teach me!"

Shen Yi said: "Master Hou, this battle is no trivial matter. If you defeat Bei Rong this time and eliminate its main force, you can keep the frontier safe for more than ten years or even decades. Master Hou, please arrange for the third sergeant."

After passing the lost city and the crossbow, Zhenbeihou did not dare to despise Ji Wenzhao. He felt that this man really had the talent of an unknown prophet and should be reused. But at the same time, I felt a emptiness in my heart. He suddenly felt that Shen Yi in front of him carried a kind of calm majesty, while Shen Jian beside him looked gentle on the surface and had a consistent smile, but this man had just retreated hundreds of thousands of Beirong army! For the first time he felt that he might be old, and this kind of war might have to be given to young people...

Thinking of this, Zhenbeihou sighed and said: "Well, I will listen to you all."

Ji Wenzhao and Shen Yi exchanged glances, which was relieved. They need to get Zhenbeihou to adopt various suggestions, but they don't want to tell Zhenbeihou about the meaning of these arrangements. Now it seems that Zhenbeihou did not doubt the purpose of their pretentiousness: not only to confuse the Tugu Khan, but also to confuse the prince of the capital.

Three people came out of the PLA Hall, Ji Wenzhao and Shen Yi sent Shen Jian to rest.

Shen Jian asked Ji Wenzhao: "Is Bei Rong going to attack the city soon, don't send me off, go to the city."

Ji Wenzhao shook his head and said, "There should be a gap of one or two days, so take a good rest."

Shen Jian asked in a low voice: "Are you sure they will divide their forces"

Ji Wenzhao nodded slowly: "We didn't show any deeds. All the predictions of Brother Wen are correct. They should divide their forces."

Shen Yi frowned: "If they divide their forces, can the mainland really stop them?"

Ji Wenzhao remembered Shen Wen’s arrangement and said firmly: "It will definitely be able to stop it, now I am afraid that they will not divide the troops! If 400,000 people attack Yancheng, our pressure will be too great. If they divide the troops, the outside of the city will be twenty-four and five. Ten thousand, we have a certainty of victory."

Shen Yi said: "It's best not to let Hou Ye know about this."

Ji Wenzhao nodded: "Yes, you must hide it from him." If Zhenbeihou knew that Beirong had divided the troops inland, he might have to lead Shen Yi to chase and stop him.

Zhang Ding walked over with a smile and saluted Shen Jian. Shen Jian also smiled: "You kid really isn't worried at all."

Zhang Dingte said flatly: "Supervisors are heroic, nothing will happen at all!"

Several people laughed, Ji Wenzhao and Shen Yi left, and Shen Jian and Zhang Ding returned to his courtyard. Seeing that there was no one around, Shen Jian asked Zhang Ding in a low voice: "I have contacted the Prince's person."

Zhang Ding nodded: "Yesterday I sent out a letter saying that Shen Jiajun was destroyed on Beirong Northeast Road. He also asked the soldier how to deliver the letter if he besieged the city. He said he was going to run two hundred miles to vote for a relative in his country. , Gave me the address and said that if I can break through, I will find him and give him the letter..."

Shen Jian laughed, and Zhang Ding nodded deeply: "In this way, he is not in danger, but also has a credit. Everyone is not a fool..."

While they were talking, the Beirong army outside the city was surrounded, and the large and small military flags of Beirong floated outside Yancheng.

After a few days, it will be the New Year's Eve. Perhaps all the firecrackers in Yancheng have been requisitioned, and it is a quiet New Year's Day in Yancheng.

Bei Rong's army was full of hustle and bustle.

Tugu Khan was full of ambition, he never thought that Shen Jiajun would not dare to fight, and the whole army fled! This is simply a victory! Without sacrificing a single soldier, Shen Jiajun was surrounded by Yancheng! Even the slight resistance outside the city was only used for light and sound, but not lethal firecrackers-used to disturb the horses! If the soldiers attacked the city and threw firecrackers at the people, what would they use him to let people try to attack the city? Just like Qi Conglin did on the mountain, Ji Wenzhao instructed all the soldiers to use the original old crossbow arrows, and even threw stones. Retired to attack, but Bei Rong's casualties were not serious. Of course he didn't know that this was the situation after the remnants of the Shen Jiajun retreated into Yancheng in the previous life. The weapons were scarce and outdated and ineffective, unable to destroy the siege enemy.

Tugu Khan felt that victory was in his hands. He knew that it would take ten and a half months to siege the city, and 400,000 people don’t need to stay here. What’s more, there are more than 200,000 cavalry. Wouldn’t it be a waste of time to siege the city? Tugu Khan decided to follow the original Plan to divide forces. As in the previous life, he let his eldest son He Duo lead the West Route Army detour to the northwest and enter the mainland in parallel with the Central Road.

It is a common strategy used by military strategists to advance in several ways. If an army enters the enemy's territory alone, the risk is greatest and it is easy to be surrounded by the enemy. If there are three or four armies attacking at the same time, they can either respond to each other for defense, or separate the enemy's defenders and defeat them individually. Of course, the prerequisite for the division of forces is that one's own forces far outweigh the opponent, just like the situation of Tugu Khan today.

As a result, the West Route Army rode clamberingly and rolled away in billowing dust. At night, late fireworks were released on a mountain not far from Yancheng.

The soldier who was in charge of watching in the city hurriedly reported to Ji Wenzhao, and Ji Wenzhao was relieved.

When Sergeant Bei Rong noticed that someone was setting fireworks on the mountain to catch up, they ran away early.

Tugu Khan didn't care about this. As far as he was concerned, he surrounded Yancheng and contained the main force of the Shen Jiajun. Naturally, the West Route Army would drive straight into the capital from the mainland without any obstacles. Yancheng was going down in a short time, but it was the worst, and it was impossible to attack. When the capital fell, Yancheng became a dead city.

The only thing he didn't understand was that no one from Huo Luo came to contact him. He sent people to the eastern mountains to find the Eastern Route Army led by Huoluo. The mountains are crisscrossing, and it will take some time for those who go to find the remnants of the Northern Rong army.

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If it is fast, Ping Yuanhou first got the news of Bei Rong's attack: the homing pigeon is faster than the horse racing on the road, and naturally faster than Wang Zhi.

That night, Du Juan told the news to Shen Wen who had been to the courtyard every two or three days.

Shen Wen estimated the time and said to Du Juan: "At the end of the year, there should be news from the prince, and he may not be able to tell it. About a month, the news from the border crossing should also arrive in the capital. You let Hou Ye wait for the world. When there is news, immediately let out the tone of recruiting volunteers."

Dujuan asked grumpyly: "When will you be able to finish things, can I follow Master Hou to fight against Bei Rong"

Shen Wen said: "No."

Cuckoo gritted his teeth: "Can you find someone else"

Shen Wen smiled: "No."

Dujuan was sulking and stopped gnawing. Shen Wen said in a low voice, "Don't worry, there are also wars here."

Dujuan snorted, with a dismissive tone.

Shen Wen ran back to the mansion and said to Su Wanniang in the dark: "Bei Rong has been launched. My second brother and second sister-in-law are going to block Bei Rong all the way to the east. That should be Huola, there are hundreds of thousands of people."

Su Wanniang's hands trembled, knowing that it was the last moment, she took Shen Wen's hand and said, "Second...Brother, they will be fine, right"

Shen Wen also had a guilty conscience and trembled and said: "Yes...should...I'm afraid...I'm afraid..." It's one thing to talk about soldiers on paper. If it is really done, the situation in reality is ever-changing and it is impossible to guard against. Who knows what will happen.

The two held hands, sitting in the dark, imagining the fierce battle in the distance.

When they went for breakfast the next day, they naturally looked a little wilted.

Yang asked in surprise: "What's wrong with you?"

Shen Wen yawned, "Sister Wanniang said she was helping with the New Year goods, and I told her what I want..."

This year's New Year's Eve was for the Liu family to manage. Su Wanniang said she wanted to help, and the Yang family let Su Wanniang take care of it.

Su Wanniang smiled reluctantly: "Miss said a lot of food, there are several kinds of rice cakes, such as sweet-scented osmanthus, red beans, and more than a dozen kinds of fruits..." Everyone laughed, and you can imagine that Shen Wen must be talking about eating. Things, this second lady is so old, still so greedy.

The old lady said: "Then buy more! After so many years of famine, it is easy to have a good year, buy more food!"

Yang also smiled and said to Liu and Su Wanniang: "She can buy what she wants, just a lot more."

Shen Wen smiled and said, "Thank you, mother, oh, I am not doing it for myself, the fourth brother is coming back soon, he can also eat!"

The old lady had gotten a signal from Shen Wen long ago, and said that Shen Qiang would return to New Year's Eve. Shen Qiang, the child she brought up, hadn't seen him for so long, and the old lady missed Shen Qiang very much. The old lady was really happy, and smiled and said, "Oh, if you count him, you can buy more! Just double it! The money is not enough..."

Yang was also in a good mood, and asked the old lady: "You pay the money"

The old lady went on to say: "...let your mother out!" Everyone laughed again.

Yang asked again: "Erlang's wife hasn't come back for a long time, let her also come back for the New Year!" Someone hurriedly responded. Shen Xiang said: "I'll pick up my second wife!"

Yang waved his hand: "The New Year's Eve is approaching. Many people want to take the money and go home. Don't leave the city!"

As a result, Shen Zhuo was sent to pick up Shen Qiang and Yan's family. After a few days, Shen Zhuo returned with Shen Qiang. He said that when he went to the temple, Yan's family was hiding in the house and no one was seen, so she asked the maid to come out and say that she was going to be there. I continued to pray for my husband there. I just made a vow to copy 300 copies of the scriptures before I started writing and couldn't come back.

Yang's face was unhappy when he heard it, but when he saw Shen Qiang, he smiled again. Shen Qiang is nine and a half years old, he is tall and strong, almost as tall as an adult man, weighing at least two hundred catties! Shen Wen knew that a person with gigantism in later generations could grow to 1.8 meters at this age, and Shen Qiang looked at it at 1.5 meters, not so heresy, just a child who developed extremely fast. In contrast, Shen Wei and Shen Yu are still absolute children.

After the salute, several boys quarreled together. Shen Wei and Shen Yu wanted to ride on Shen Qiang's head. Shen Qiang carried one on his back and chased the other all over the house. The old lady looked at them and laughed. Laughing, there are tears in his eyes.

At the New Year's Eve banquet, Yang asked Shen Zhuo to take these boys to another table to show that men and women are different. But Shen Qiang still sneaked in, yelled at the old lady with a smile, and served the old lady a glass of rice wine.

The old lady squinted her eyes with a smile, drank with Shen Qiang's hand, and said with a smile: "Thank you Qiang'er, I like to drink some wine now, Qiang'er actually knows."

Shen Qiang nodded honestly, took a chopstick next to the old lady, inserted a piece of rice cake for the old lady and put it in the bowl.

Yang said helplessly: "How big is this, why don't you know how to use chopsticks"

The old lady was dissatisfied with Yang's refusal to let Shen Qiang in, and immediately said: "It's okay, Qiang'er is less than ten years old, he is a child, and learns slowly! Come, Qiang'er, grandmother will give you a stutter! This is all It’s been a long time since I’ve been feeding Qiang’er for dinner...” As he said, he caught a piece of fat, and Shen Qiang immediately opened his mouth. The old lady smiled and put it in his mouth, and took out a handkerchief and wiped it on him. mouth.

Yang frowned and said to Shen Qiang: "Don't go out yet! Your Xi is not here."

Shen Qiang yelled several times at the Yang family, turned around and suddenly hugged the old lady, kissed the old lady on the face, and ran out.

The old lady said, looking at the back of Shen Qiang going out, she smiled for a long time...

Shen Wen looked at him, feeling a little dazed. At this time, in the northern Yancheng, Bei Rong should have been under the enemy. Here, people are still living a normal life, without knowing that the country may be destroyed and the family will only be destroyed in a few months.

After the New Year’s Eve dinner, the meals were removed and a table full of melons and fruit pastries was served. Yang's Shen Wei and Shen Yu came in to play, but the two children must be with Shen Qiang, so they and Shen Zhuo played in the outer courtyard. In the inner courtyard, Yang and the old lady didn’t play Pai Gow. Some delicious melon seeds wait to kill time.

Su Wanniang remembered that Shen Wen said that she would leave the Hou Mansion at the most critical moment, so that she could get closer to the Yang family and the old lady. She kept sitting next to the Yang family and the old lady, telling jokes and the like.

Shen Xiang felt most bored, and asked Shen Wen: "You always go to behave, why are you sitting here so quiet today?"

Only when Shen Wen realized that he still had a different situation than before, he hurriedly said with a smile: "I can be with my sister!"

Shen Xiangbai glanced at her: "I don't believe it!"

Shen Wen now has a lot of thoughts in his mind, so he can only whisper: "I just ate more, and my stomach hurts a bit."

Shen Xiang glared at her: "Look at what you are!" Seeing that Su Wanniang was talking to Yang, she got up and asked Shen Wen for a cup of **** tea, forced Shen Wen to drink it, and then asked, "It's better."

Shen Wen smiled gratefully to Shen Xiang: "Thank you..."

Shen Xiang twitched his lips: "Who wants you to thank you!"

Shen Wen smiled and got tired of being beside Shen Xiang. In order to cover up the anxiety in his heart, he made a drowsy look and passed the New Year's Eve.

The New Year's Eve banquet in Pingyuan Hou's Mansion was very cold, so Pingyuan Hou and his wife and Zhang Yunjin and Zhang Yunzhao. Zhang Yunzhao was boasting about his various things on the mountain. Li listened with a smile, and Ping Yuan Hou was a little absent-minded.

After midnight, the children went to bed, and Li asked in the bedroom, "My husband has something on my mind."

Ping Yuan Hou knew that this matter could not be dragged to the end. If, as the two sons said, he pulled the volunteers by himself, and the Li family sold things again. During the war, wherever he could raise money, he would have wasted a lot of property, so he whispered. Said to Li: "Bei Rong has attacked, and I will rise up against the enemy."

Li exclaimed and hugged Ping Yuanhou with both hands: "Master Hou!"

Ping Yuan Hou also hugged Li and comforted: "It's okay, this time we are prepared..."

Li's doubts: "This time!"

Ping Yuan Hou sighed deeply, nodded and said, "Yes, this time, if it weren't for someone to call, my family would be destroyed..."

Li cried: "Yes...it's the crown prince..." Besides these two people, who else can

Hou Pingyuan hugged Li tightly: "Madam, don't worry, start raising military funds for me from tomorrow. After half a month, if there is a letter of war, the world will be chaotic."

Li's body trembled, but he calculated nervously in his head: If the war comes, what will sell out?

On the first day of the first lunar month, the shopkeepers of Li's shop entered the house and wished the owner the New Year. On the one hand, Li returned the money, and on the other hand, he instructed the purchase and sale of goods, so he was busy all day.

The New Year's Eve banquet in the palace is more lively than ever.

After four years of drought and one year of floods, the emperor felt the emperor wanted to celebrate the year with good weather and good harvest. The prince let the Ministry of Households pay a lot of money, and the palace held various banquets and celebrations, miscellaneous sumo wrestling, singing, dancing and singing, which was full of festive atmosphere.

The prince personally arranged many affairs, and naturally walked frequently in the palace. Regarding the arrangement of the New Year's Eve, he went to visit Concubine Xue with an upright and open mind.

The **** was sent out of the house, and the two of them undressed the broadband in the house... In the past, they were all out in field battles, but this was the first time in a comfortable bedroom. Concubine Xue Gui felt less nervous and could better experience it, but the prince felt a lot less fun.

When the passion passed, Xue Guifei was alert that the prince was somewhat distracted, and hurriedly smiled and whispered: "You gave me most of the things you gave me, and I don’t think the emperor has any response after taking it. Are those effective?" The prince fastened his shirt.

The prince smiled and said in a low voice: "Naturally, Yu Rui is patient and so on. Even though it is used up, there is still in my palace..." He hugged her waist with his hands and pressed her face to her ears. Said: "Yuruihua is really the number one beauty in the world."

Xue Guifei blushed, leaning against the prince and said: "Where is the slave house so beautiful, I only hope that in the future, my Royal Highness will not forget the love at this time."

The prince nodded and said: "Of course, this palace will always remember it." Naturally, it is unforgettable, but it does not mean that it will not kill you.

Concubine Xue was at ease.

At the New Year’s Eve banquet, the emperor had his own table, and the prince and the three princes each had a table. This year the emperor didn’t call the four princes into the palace either, which meant that he had forgotten this son: who made you shameless and told you to come back but didn’t come back.

At the dinner, Guifei Xue asked her **** to present a bowl of health porridge to the emperor, which was very sweet, and the emperor took a few sips. Concubine Xue Gui secretly regretted this-she had used a large spoonful of things.

On the first day of the new year, it was regarded as a group worship. The emperor led the prince, the prince, and the three princes to the ancestral temple to bow before the new year's greetings from the officials. This day is full of red tape, and the rulers and ministers are actually exhausted. During the ceremony, the prince concubine Xue Guifei, who was Rong Guangsheng, secretly cast her eyes at the prince, also noticed that when the ancestor Xun Xie passed in front of Xue Guifei, Xue Guifei frowned.

Wang Zhi entered the city in the dust on the fifth day of the Lunar New Year. He did not return to Zhenbeihou Mansion, and went directly outside the imperial palace. He kept an eye on him, changed his civilian clothes, only said that he had a secret message to report to the staff of the East Palace, but he did not dare to say that he was a soldier of the Shen family.