(I went to exercise as usual today, so I¡¯ll post a big post.)
Three thousand elite soldiers led by Liu Feng appeared unexpectedly at the Public Security Bureau. The fleet disguised as a merchant ship successfully entered the Public Security Pier. The three thousand elite soldiers rushed out and defeated the two thousand navy troops of the Jiangshui Camp in one fell swoop.
Although Liu Feng's attack had been quite rapid, because there was still a naval barrier outside the public security city, Shiren was given the opportunity to close the city gate.
After seizing the water camp, Liu Feng was not in a hurry to attack. He only had three thousand soldiers and horses in his hands. It was obviously not in line with the art of war to attack the public security city with a one-to-one offensive and defensive ratio.
The next day, after Ma Su's follow-up troops arrived at Gong'an City, the two armies joined together, totaling more than 10,000 troops. Liu Feng then led his army to Gong'an City and surrounded the entire city.
Shiren in the city was very worried. Facing this sudden force that appeared from the sky, all Shiren could do was to suppress the fear of the soldiers and look forward to the moment when Guan Yu's reinforcements came back. .
However, what surprised Shiren was that although the enemy soldiers, which were several times his own, surrounded the city like an iron barrel, they were not in a hurry to attack the city.
While the siege was being completed, an enemy messenger arrived at the moat and called the door, claiming that he had been ordered by Ma Su to deliver a message.
Shiren didn't know what the enemy wanted, so he ordered the messenger to be put into the city. On the tower of the North City, Shiren received the messenger very politely.
"General Shi, General Ma Youchang has a letter from Ming Xiao to forward to the general. Please read it."
The envoy presented Ma Su's autographed letter. Shiren first ordered tea to be served to the envoy. Then he opened the silk book and looked at it carefully. As he looked at it, his brows could not help but frown slightly.
That was a letter of surrender.
In the letter, Ma Di analyzed the pros and cons of surrendering and defending for Shiren in detail. Ma Di promised in the letter that as long as Shiren gave up resistance and opened the city to surrender, Zhennan General Liu Feng would not only give him a heavy reward, but also give him Promotion into nobility.
While luring him with benefits, Ma Su also threatened that if he stubbornly refused to surrender, if the army attacked the city, he would be destroyed and killed.
During the war, this kind of tactic of besieging a city to persuade surrender was not uncommon. Although Ma Di's letter of surrender was not unusual, it was only a threat and inducement, which was not enough to induce Shiren to surrender.
However, at the end of the letter, Ma Su mentioned an old incident that deeply frightened Shiren.
What Ma Su mentioned was the Battle of Linxiang that Shiren could not bear to look back on.
In that battle, it was clear that Guan Yu fell into the trap and made a mistake in using his troops, but Shiren, who followed the order, was punished with a military stick for no reason. Not only did his prestige in the army suffer a great loss, but he also suffered internal injuries to his waist.
Now, Guan Yu ordered him to guard the public security, but without realizing it, Liu Fengjun cracked the surveillance system of the beacon tower and attacked the public security city in one fell swoop. He almost killed two thousand sailors without a single blow and captured several pieces of water. Hundreds of navy warships.
No matter how Liu Fengjun managed such a surprise attack, until now, Shiren could not escape the responsibility of dereliction of duty. Even if he defended the Gong'an City, in the end, Guan Yu, who boasted of his military mastery, would still punish him. .
Ma Di's words deeply pierced the pain in Shiren's heart. Recalling the horror of almost being beheaded and the pain he endured under the fifty army sticks, Shiren's heart once again surged with deep emotion. fear.
"General Shi, as the saying goes, a man who knows the current affairs is a hero and submits to the Ming Dynasty. However, I should continue to work for Guan Yu, an arrogant maniac who does not know how to care for his subordinates. General, please think twice."
Seeing Shiren's hesitant expression, the messenger lost no time in trying to persuade him.
"Guan Yu, Guan Yu"
Shiren held the silk book of surrender tightly in his hand, and a flame of resentment burst out in his eyes.
Outside the Public Security City, there are many soldiers and armor, and under the sunlight, it reflects a frightening cold light.
At this moment, Liu Feng was commanding his troops to form outside the Gong'an City, looking like they were showing off their power and ready to attack the city at any time.
History is always such a coincidence. In the past, Guan Yu mistakenly used Shiren to guard public security. As a result, the public security city built by Liu Bei was destroyed without a fight.
Now, many things have changed, but Guan Yu's employment strategy has remained the same. It was precisely because he heard that the guard general of Gong'an City was Shiren that Liu Feng was extremely confident in attacking Gong'an.
However, it was Ma Su who took the first step and proposed to write a letter to surrender.
"Youchang, do you think this Shiren will be persuaded by you?" Liu Feng looked at the policeman and asked, he was very interested in Ma Su's reason for offering this plan.
Ma Su smiled contemptuously and said confidently: "At the beginningWhen Xiang surrendered, I had a brief contact with this scholar. As far as I know, although this person has been following Guan Yu for a long time, he is actually a coward who is afraid of death. In addition, he has suffered previously. Guan Yu is responsible for the heavy responsibility, and he must have complaints in his heart. With a two-pronged approach, I predict that he will definitely open the city and surrender. "
What Ma Su said was exactly what Liu Feng thought.
"Guan Yu was born among the common people. Although he was very arrogant, in my opinion, that kind of extreme arrogance was not so much self-confidence as a kind of inferiority complex due to his poor background. The inferiority complex is to the extreme, It became pride, and this pride made him very contemptuous of those officials who were born stronger than him but now surrendered to him. On the contrary, he was very friendly and kind to those soldiers who had the same background as him."
Ma Di's thorough analysis of Guan Yu really surprised Liu Feng. In fact, he had tried to understand Guan Yu in depth, but he was limited to knowing that Guan Yu had always been "disrespectful of scholar-bureaucrats and valued soldiers", but he had no idea about Guan Yu's character. There was no in-depth analysis of the cause, but I didn't expect that Ma Su knew this beautiful bearded man so well.
Before Ma Su finished speaking, he saw on the front line of the Public Security City. The city gate suddenly opened wide, and the suspension bridge was lowered. An undressed general followed the messenger out of the city.
Ma Su laughed and said, "Lord, look, Na Shiren is here."
As expected, Shiren surrendered without a fight.
Liu Feng was very happy. He immediately patted his horse and rode to the front of the battle. The soldier rushed forward, rolled his saddle and dismounted, bowed to the ground and said: "The last general, Shiren, pays homage to Liu Zhennan. If Zhennan does not give up, the last general is willing to go through fire and water for the general." No matter what."
These generous words could not change Liu Feng's disdain for Shiren. Despite this, Liu Feng still pretended to be thirsty for talents. He jumped off his horse and lifted Shiren up with his own hands, caressing his shoulders to comfort him. Said: "Zishan has a deep understanding of righteousness, which is really valuable. I am not happy about getting the public security officer. What I am happy about is getting a general like Zishan."
Ma Su also stepped forward, cupped his hands and smiled: "Zishan, it's been a long time. Now you and I are colleagues. I still want to apologize to you for what happened back then."
Shiren knew that Ma Su was a popular figure in Liu Feng's time, so how could he dare to accept his apology? He hurriedly said: "At that time, everyone was their own master, so how could I apologize. But today, a letter from Youchang woke me up, and I just made up my mind. It is you, Youchang, who I should thank for surrendering to the Ming Lord."
After polite compliments were exchanged for a while, Liu Feng then ordered Ma Su to lead an army of five thousand troops to garrison the public security city, take over the entire defense of the public security city, appease people's hearts, and begin to reorganize Shiren's three thousand soldiers and horses.
Liu Feng himself, together with Chen Dao and Shiren, led the remaining 5,000 soldiers and horses. According to the prior plan, they crossed the river by boat and headed straight for the important town of Jiangling on the north bank.
¡¡¡¡¡¡
Jiangling, dusk.
The irritable south wind rudely passed through the streets, blowing up the loess on the ground, flying into the sky and then scattering it down.
The clouds covered the sun, and the sky and the earth were dim.
There was no one on the streets of Jiangling. Every house closed its door tightly, and the whole city was as silent as death.
As Mi Zhu rode his horse through the street, he could feel countless frightened and panic-stricken eyes peeking out from the cracks in the door.
News of the Changsha Army's raid on the Public Security City soon spread back to Jiangling across the river. This horrifying news horrified all the people in the city. Almost overnight, the originally bustling and bustling city turned into a nightmare. It became a "ghost town" shrouded in dark clouds.
After boarding the city gate, Mi Zhu put up a canopy with his hands and looked towards the river bank. Many people living outside the city were evacuating towards Jiangling City with their families, and more than a thousand river defense troops stationed along the river were also moving towards Jiangling City. On the way back to the city.
Mi Zhu currently only has 3,000 troops in his hands. The confusing intelligence prevents him from knowing how many troops there are in the Changsha Army that raided the Public Security Bureau. But he knows that the Public Security Bureau is just an outpost battle, and Liu Feng's spearhead will soon be directed at Jiangling.
How can a mere three thousand soldiers and horses prevent the enemy from attacking the north bank? All Mi Zhu can do now is to concentrate the existing troops and retreat to Jiangling City.
"Does General Public Security Taxi have any latest news?" Mi Zhu asked anxiously.
Gong'an City is the only way to go south to Wuling. If Gong'an is captured by Liu Feng, it will cut off the main force of Guan Yu's return north. At the moment, Mi Zhu is not worried about whether Liu Feng will lead his army to attack Jiangling. Instead, he is worried about whether Gong'an will lead his army to attack Jiangling. Keep it.
"The Changsha Army has completely surrounded the Public Security City. We have lost contact with the Public Security Bureau since yesterday."
The responses from the left and right made Mi Zhu shudder. Mi Zhu had always been skeptical about this Shiren's ability, but as the prefect of Nanjun, Mi Zhu had no right to decide on Guan Yu's deployment of troops.
"After Jiang's defense troops withdraw into the city, immediately close all the gates and no longer be allowed to enter the city.One person enters the city. Mi Zhu ordered decisively.
¡°But sir, there are still many people outside the city who have not yet evacuated into the city. If we close the city so quickly, will it¡±
While they were still waiting to say anything, Mi Zhu waved his hands and shouted: "The situation is urgent now. What will happen if the enemy's spies take the opportunity to sneak into the city? You don't need to ask any questions, just act according to the order."
In the evening, Jiangling City and the middle gate were closed. Thousands of civilians gathered at the four gates, wailing and begging to be opened to allow them to take refuge. However, Mi Zhu was indifferent and strictly ordered not to open the door. Tens of thousands of people begged and were not allowed to enter. At nightfall, they scattered and fled.
Zhuge Mansion.
At this moment, the ugly-looking woman was pacing back and forth in the hall.
The news that the Changsha Army had attacked the police made the entire Zhuge Mansion tense. In order to prevent anyone from taking advantage of the situation to do evil, Huang Yueying had ordered the door of the mansion to be closed, and all servants and maids were not allowed to enter or exit without authorization.
As night fell, there was a burst of light and rapid footsteps outside the courtyard, and the servant could only be heard shouting: "Madam, the second lady is here."
A stone in Huang Yueying's heart suddenly fell to the ground. She calmed down her anxious mood, pretended to have a calm expression, opened the door and walked out slowly.
"Sister." My younger sister, Huang Yuemei, came towards me. There was obviously a bit of nervousness and uneasiness on her pretty face. When she saw Huang Yueying, the uneasiness faded a little.
The situation in Jiangling City is complicated. After Huang Yueying heard the news about the police incident, she immediately sent someone to pick up her sister and bring her to her house. Her father lived in the countryside and entrusted her to him. If anything went wrong, she would not know. How to explain to his father Huang Chengyan.
The two sisters entered hand in hand. After drinking a cup of hot tea, Huang Yuemei's nervousness gradually subsided.
"Sister, if that Liu Feng breaks into Jiangling City, what should we do?" Huang Yuemei asked worriedly.
Huang Yueying sneered and said disdainfully: "The walls of Jiangling are high and thick, and Mi Zizhong is in charge of the overall situation. Even if a man named Liu Feng comes with all his troops, he will never be able to break through the city. Sister, you don't have to worry."
Huang Yue's frowning eyebrows slowly relaxed, but she sighed: "I didn't expect that Liu Feng is so extraordinary. Sister, I'm afraid you and your father were wrong back then."
"My father's decision back then was not wrong. With Liu's status, if you married him, it would be of no benefit to our Huang family. But I didn't expect that this person was so scheming that he did such unthinkable things. Even your brother-in-law would never have thought of it."
Although Huang Yueying was disdainful of Liu Feng on the surface, she could not conceal her "contemptuous" admiration in her words.
Huang Yuemei sighed and suddenly remembered something, "There is one thing that I have not told you for so many years. Sister, do you remember that when we were in Xiakou, Liu Feng had not betrayed the lord, and you had Something was said to me in medical camp.¡±
Huang Yueying looked suspicious and nodded: "Yes, I remember that."
Huang Yuemei continued: "You had just left, and Liu Feng was coming. I followed my sister's instructions and kept a distance from him, but he said some very strange things, saying that he was going south to conquer the two counties in eastern Hunan. What would he do? He gave me a great gift, and after that, he openly rebelled against the lord. I was thinking that he must have overheard our conversation at that time."
After hearing her words, Huang Yueying's face felt slightly gloomy.
"If he really heard our conversation and knew what my purpose was for deliberately approaching him, he would definitely hold a grudge against us. I am really worried that if he breaks through Jiangling, our sisters will fall behind him. What should I do with my hands?"
Speaking of this, Huang Yuemei's eyes flashed with fear, and her weak body shivered.
Huang Yueying was also scared, but as Zhuge Liang's wife, how could she show any fear at such a critical moment.
At that moment, she smiled faintly and said disapprovingly: "He heard it when he heard it. This Jiangling City is impregnable. Even if he wants revenge, he can't do anything to get us. Now it is a foregone conclusion that the lord will take Yizhou, and then he will return eastward with the army from Sichuan." , and then with General Yunchang attacking from inside and outside, Liu Feng was wiped out effortlessly. My sister, your worries are just unreasonable."
"Oh, I hope it's as my sister said."
Huang Yuemei sighed, her eyebrows still filled with worries.
South Gate.
The cold wind blew up late at night, and Mi Zhu shook her shoulders, hoping to use this action to drive away some of the cold air.
Looking far away, the Jiangshui Camp, which should have been brightly lit, was now completely dark.When the waves of the river hit the shore one after another, people have a strange and eerie feeling that lingers for a long time.
Since early in the morning, Mi Zhu has been staying at the south gate line, personally commanding the soldiers to reinforce the city defense and prepare for the next attack that Liu Feng's army may attack at any time.
After working hard for a whole day, Mi Zhu didn't even have time to eat.
There was no way, he had to work so hard, because when Liu Bei left, Jiangling, the most important city in Jingzhou, was handed over to him, and most of the officials and family members of the soldiers lived in the city. This heavy burden made Mi Zhu had to sacrifice his life to protect the city.
Seeing that the night was getting late, Mi Zhu finally couldn't bear the hunger and exhaustion, and prepared to go down to the city to rest first.
Just when Mi Zhu turned around, the soldiers on the sentry tower suddenly shouted a warning: "Something strange has been discovered in the direction of Shuiying."
Mi Zhu's slightly relaxed mood immediately rose to her throat again. She rushed to the female wall in a few steps, stuck her head out to look at the river bank.
Sure enough, the abandoned camp was originally dark, but suddenly many torches were raised, and it was vaguely inferred that a troop of soldiers and horses seemed to be landing.
"Could it be that Liu Feng was killed so quickly?"
Mi Zhu was shocked and immediately ordered the entire army to prepare for battle.
Under the gaze of pairs of uneasy eyes, a team of about several thousand people, holding torches high, hurried from Shuiying towards Jiangling City. In the light of the fire, one could vaguely make out the armored flags of our own troops.
Mi Zhu breathed a sigh of relief, but still did not dare to be careless. He was worried that the sudden arrival of soldiers and horses might be the Changsha Army pretending to be trying to trick the city gate into opening.
More than a thousand soldiers and horses rushed to the south gate in a seemingly chaotic manner, shouting across the protective pond to open the door and let them enter the city.
Unable to confirm the identity of the soldiers and horses, Mi Zhu had no choice but to bite the bullet and order not to open the door.
"Where is Governor Mi? I am the public security officer Shiren. Open the city quickly and let me in."
Directly below the city tower, Mi Zhu heard a fairly familiar voice. Looking for the sound, Mi Zhu saw Shiren in the light of a torch.
"General Shi, if you don't guard the public security, why did you come to Jiangling?" Mi Zhu was very wary, but still did not dare to take it lightly.
Shiren, who was under the city, loudly said: "The Changsha army pretended to be merchant ships and broke the beacon towers along the river. Then Liu Feng personally led tens of thousands of troops and suddenly attacked the police. There was a strong attack from outside and careful support from inside. I was unable to fight with all my strength, so I had to lead the army. Fight out of the city and go to Jiangling. Grand Administrator Mi and Liu Feng's army are about to attack. Let me enter the city quickly. You and I can defend Jiangling together."
There was no flaw in Shiren's explanation. Mi Zhu glanced around and saw that Shiren still had about two thousand soldiers. If they were united, they would have more confidence to defend Jiangling and wait for Guan Yu's army to return reinforcements.
After thinking for a moment, Mi Zhu ordered the city gate to be opened and let the defeated troops of the public security enter the city.
The suspension bridge was lowered, the city gate opened wide, and thousands of disgraced defeated troops hurriedly entered. Mi Zhu came down from the city and went straight to Shiren. He loudly said in a reproachful tone: "General Shi, if you abandon the public security, you will cut off General Guan's return. If General Guan"
Before she finished speaking, Mi Zhu's entire face turned pale in an instant, and her eyes widened, as if she had seen a ghost.
Behind Shiren, Liu Feng, carrying a silver gun, appeared on horseback and sneered, "Mi Zhu, we haven't seen each other for a long time.".