Leaving Nie County and heading southeast along the Zhuozhang River, we marched at full speed and arrived at Xiangyuan City within a day. According to the march plan, the army would carry out its first supply here and then continue to move forward.

The biggest limitation on marching speed is supplies.

Although Wang Yu gave an order to Xu Shu to allocate grain and grass to the south, he had no intention of waiting. Instead, after giving the order, he set off on the rear foot. Supplies could only be collected from the counties along the way.

Bingzhou has not been peaceful in recent years. Xianbei people, Huns, Qiang people, and various local forces have fought fiercely in Bingzhou. Today the Huns and Han troops jointly fought against Xianbei, and tomorrow the Huns fought against each other. It was easy to fight off these two foreign wolves.

, the Han army started killing each other again.

Shangdang is the hub of connection between Bingzhou and the Central Plains. In the past five years, it has been occupied by or passed through by nearly ten forces, including Ding Yuan, Yu Fuluo, Zhang Yang, Gao Gan, etc. It is the area where Bingzhou suffered the most serious military disaster.

The people here were already familiar with and adapted to the war. When they suddenly saw a large group of soldiers and horses arriving, there was no need for county guards or magistrates to direct them. The people closed the city gates, pulled up the suspension bridge, and gathered the troops at an extremely fast speed.

Defend the city and many other tactical actions.

The Qingzhou Army's first sentry was a few miles away, and they were still looking at the city gates in the distance with their city gates wide open and crowds of people rushing in and out. However, when they got to the base of the city, what they saw was a scene of tight security and formations.

The scouts were all amazed and felt that the Shangdang's statement about sending out elite soldiers was indeed true. Even the militiamen from Qingzhou who had been trained for two or three years were only at this level.

After announcing the name of the Hussars General, the soldiers and civilians in the city remained indifferent. They still looked like they were facing a powerful enemy. The scouts had no choice but to report truthfully, leaving the problem to Wang Yu to solve.

When Wang Yu arrived at the city, he saw a scene that shocked him. It seemed that all the men and women in the city had come out. From the white-haired old woman to the urchin who had just learned to go to the house and take out bird eggs, they were all lying behind the wall and looking at him.

.

These people all have disheveled faces and ragged clothes, but their postures of holding bows and holding swords are very pure. Those weapons are simple and worn out, but that is the reason why the city in front of them has survived in troubled times and has not been looted by various rebels.

Wang Yu felt a burst of sadness in his heart, but also a bit of pride.

The tragedy is that the war-torn Middle-earth has wiped out all the good things in human nature. The victims no longer trust anyone except the swords and guns in their hands. But having said that, if the people had not taken up the swords and guns to protect themselves, maybe they would have gone to the party.

The place of the Fourth War has turned into a ghost on earth. It was the spontaneous resistance of the people that left a trace of vitality in this ancient Chinese region.

The commander at the top of the city refused to go out and interact with the officers and soldiers, although he could clearly see the hussar general banners unfurled by the guards. As early as four or five years ago, the imperial court had lost its dignity. As long as he had the ability to recruit a group of people,

, no matter what kind of official position you proclaim yourself, as long as you don't call yourself king or emperor, no one will care about you.

Back then, Captain Wu Meng and Ding Yuan were just Captain Wu Meng before their cavalry went south. When they reached Shangdang, they had already become Generals of the Tigers and Lieutenants. There were many evildoers in Shangdang territory.

Zhang Yang, the current governor of Hanoi, was originally just a subordinate of Ding Yuan. Later, he recruited a group of people with his family wealth, and with considerable strength, he suddenly transformed into a general of Jianyi. Before moving to Hanoi, he raised troops to attack

The Dang governor was unable to defeat him at Huguan, but he was so shy that he took away his official position, proclaimed himself the Dang governor, and sent troops to invade the counties.

The combat power of Zhang Yang's army was not as good as that of Ding Yuan's elite frontier army, but its power to cause harm to the people was much greater than the latter. County towns such as Luxian County and Tunliu County were successively destroyed, and the people in the city were left empty-handed until five years ago.

Even now, after all this time, I have not been able to regain my strength.

With these bloody lessons, it is no wonder that the people of Shangdang are so nervous.

"We are the Han hussars, the hussars that never disturb the people! We are here to conquer the national thief Cao Cao. You guys are raising your swords at each other. Could it be that you have been bribed by Cao Cao's thief?" Tai Shici was ordered to step forward and open his hands.

shouted to the people in the city.

"Whether you are a national traitor or a general, please go away quickly and don't make any plans here!" A feather arrow was shot from the city wall, almost sticking to the horse's neck and drilling into the ground half a foot: "Don't come close, the city

There is no food for you! No matter if you are officials or thieves, there is none!"

"His mother-in-law doesn't know how to appreciate it!" Taishi Ci was so angry that he took out the bow from the saddle and wanted to change the color.

If it weren't for the fact that in order to ensure the marching speed, he had to collect supplies along the way, he wouldn't have the patience to chat with a group of unruly people.

My lord's reputation for benevolence and caring for the people is known all over the world. People even praise him in Jingzhou and even places as far away as Jiangdong. However, he received such a cold treatment in Shangdang, which has become his jurisdiction. This is called Taishi with a fiery temperament.

How can kindness bring peace of mind?

"Ziyi, please step aside for now and let Kong Ming come!" Wang Yu stopped Taishi Ci in time and made a decision that the latter thought was absurd.

"Kong Ming?" Taishi Ci looked at his lord in surprise. He didn't understand what role the soft-spoken Zhuge Liang could play at such a time. But he still faithfully carried out this "random order" and retreated, still talking to himself.

Grinding his teeth in annoyance.

That is to say, the Lord has a good temper. If he follows his own wishes and simply sends two heavy-duty thunder trucks over and smashes two holes in the city wall, these self-righteous guys will know how powerful they are.

Amid confused looks on the city and below, Zhuge Liang summoned more than a dozen of his staff and Shi Shiran and walked to the city.

This time the reaction on the city wall was less intense.

Taishi Ci, who has a fierce look on his face, will make people involuntarily feel fear, and fear will bring about vigilance and uneasiness. Zhuge Liang is a young and handsome young man, full of literary talent. How can people be willing to take action?

What's more, the people in the city were relatively ignorant of the news and were not deaf or mute. Even if they had never heard of Wang Yu's reputation for benevolence, they had vaguely heard of the glorious achievements of this powerful neighbor in Hebei.

Everyone knew that if a fight really started, the thousands of garrison troops inside the city, composed of old, weak, women and children, would definitely not be able to stop the fierce and powerful troops outside the city.

But there is no way, you have to bite the bullet even though you know you are losing! This is the experience and lesson that people have summed up with blood and tears in troubled times. If the weak want to survive, they must show a strong enough posture. Pleading and crying can be solved

It doesn't solve the problem. It will only make the robbers see your weakness, and then they will bully you even harder.

With some scruples and persistence, Zhuge Liang walked to the base of the city without any hindrance, at a distance where the people at the top of the city could hear him clearly without having to raise his voice.

"Dear fellow villagers, you must have heard some news. My lord is the hussar general who was personally conferred by the emperor today. Starting from last year, the champion has replaced Gao and Yuan, and has taken over the military and political power of Bingzhou...

…Just over ten days ago, he led his army to fight against 300,000 Xiliang cavalry in Longshan, and defeated the many with a small number, and was defeated..."

Zhuge Liang's voice was much softer than Tai Shici's, and his tone did not fluctuate much, but his words shocked the people of Xiangyuan much more.

The Xiliang Army invaded in a large scale, and the Qingzhou Army rose up to fight back. Both sides unanimously chose the main battlefield in Taiyuan in the north. Shangdang territory was not affected by the war at all. However, hundreds of thousands of troops fought fiercely for several months two hundred miles away. The impact

It's not an ordinary thing, people in Shangdang have heard about it to some extent.

It was precisely because they heard about this war that the people of Shangdang were so nervous. According to normal circumstances, in a war of this scale, no matter who wins or loses, it will eventually cause an extremely heavy blow to Bingzhou.

The Xiliang army won, with a terrifying figure of 300,000, which would eat up the last wheat seedlings in Bingzhou; the Xiliang army lost, with more than 100,000 and 200,000 defeated troops, and more than 100 and 200,000 desperadoes with everything lost.

It will also cause endless killings on the way!

But now when I heard what this little scholar said, the 300,000-strong army was wiped out in ashes without a sound! Could this thing, which sounds like a myth and legend, be true?

"Our army is only going south this time. We need to collect supplies and will not enter the city... I understand your feelings, but after all you are also people under the rule of my lord. Do you plan to divide the territory into a territory and form your own territory?

Is it a country?"

"How dare you, how dare you!" Zhuge Liang's question made the people in charge of the city jump in their hearts. At present, the counties and cities of Shangdang are only in the stage of forming strongholds to protect themselves, and there is no ambition at all.

It's just that everyone has had enough of the abuse of the rebels, and looking at the dark cavalry array outside the city, they feel really unsure.

"Otherwise, is this good..."

Hearing that the tone of those in charge was gradually relaxing, Zhuge Liang finally gave in and said, "I am here to make a decision without authorization. Please withdraw the army for five miles. Then you open the city gate and let me and these colleagues enter the city. Let's

How about trading directly in the city, cashing in cash, and then organizing the manpower to send the grain and grass out of the city for our army to pick up?"

"Buzz!" There was a sudden discussion on the city walls.

"I see that this young gentleman has a kind face. He is a good person. He should not be deceptive!"

"Knowing people but not their hearts. As for the senior officials, Yuan Tan is a member of a well-known family. I heard that his appearance is not bad. When it's time to take advantage of him, how can he be merciless?"

"Xu Baldy, you have to pat your conscience when you say this! Look outside and see that there are more than a few thousand cavalry in that dark area. He has strong soldiers and a reputation for righteousness, and he has repeatedly given in. That is

Renyi, aren't you afraid of us? If you really push the envelope, you'll make that hussar general so angry that all the young and old in the city will be buried with your foul mouth?"

"Yes, although people are hiding in the city, the wheat seedlings outside the city look familiar! It really makes people anxious, so there is no need to attack the city, just let the horses go to the fields, and next year everyone will get it

Drink the northwest wind!"

"Having said that, life is already tight these days. It will take several months before the wheat is ripe and the stored grain is sold. What will everyone eat during the next period of time? Uncle Zhang, you are a highly respected man. Everyone believes in you.

At this time, you have to make an idea."

The old man called Uncle Zhang was the oldest among everyone present. He had white beard and hair, and he looked a bit like an immortal. Although he was elected to lead because of his age and wide knowledge, he still felt that he was the leader.

I really can't come up with any ideas. I just feel that what everyone says is reasonable, but it just can't solve the problem.

After thinking about it, he simply threw the problem directly to Zhuge Liang who was under the city: "The Hussars General is kind and generous, and the young gentleman is resourceful and can understand our difficulties. However, there are still several difficulties..." Trembling Weiwei

As he spoke, he summarized everyone's opinions.

The soldiers and horses outside the city need food for marching, and the young and old inside the city need food to survive. In the eyes of the old man, this is an unsolvable problem. This is what he meant by polite refusal. However, the words left a lot of room, and he wanted to bargain.

It would be best if a small amount of food and labor can be produced in the city in the end.

Unexpectedly, the huge problem in his eyes was just something for the young man below the city to think about. After listening to the old man’s complaint, Zhuge Liang chuckled and said calmly: "This matter is easy to handle... like this

I’m too tired to talk. Why don’t I let me wait until we get into the city and explain it to me face to face?”

Uncle Zhang thought for a while and discussed with everyone, and they all felt that it didn't matter if they let a few scholars in. It was indeed easier to talk in person, so he agreed. When Zhuge Liang sent someone to report back, the cavalry brigade began to retreat. Here they also let go

The suspension bridge opened the city gate a crack and let Zhuge Liang and his party in.

"They are just a bunch of unruly people who don't know the general situation. They only recognize their own petty profits. Why are you so polite to them? Show them how powerful they are. Aren't they good?" Boss Taishi Ci complained impatiently.

"Brother, you went up and got shot with an arrow. When Kong Ming went up, he was welcomed into the city... Are you feeling unbalanced?" Zhao Yun joked on the side, and even slapped his nose exaggeratedly and winced.

Mouth shouted: "Hmm. It has a tangy sour taste."

"Humph! What's so unbalanced about this? I'm not so tolerant!" Taishi Ci was not offended. He snorted coldly: "I just don't understand. Isn't it urgent to go south this time? How can my lord be so leisurely and relaxed?

What? This journey will have to pass through at least seven or eight counties. If every county has to go through this trouble, it would be better to wait for the Yuan Dynasty to send grain directly."

"Do you really think so?" Zhao Yun looked at his adopted brother with strange eyes.

"Is there something wrong?" Taishi Ci stared back.

"It's definitely not right!" Zhao Yun shook his head, very disappointed with his adopted brother's slowness.
To be continued...