Relying on their numerical advantage, the charges of Ganren and the common people were as continuous as a surging river. They climbed onto the tower several times, and when they fell deeper, they drove the Chinese army off the tower, which fully proved the principle that there is strength in numbers.
For this reason, the First Field Army also suffered heavy losses. In the most ferocious battle, an entire battalion of soldiers was surrounded by an army of Ganren civilians who rushed up to the city tower. When the main force came to the rescue, the Ganren civilians were driven down the city. At that time, a whole battalion of one thousand soldiers were all glorious.
They did not die on the battlefield fighting foreigners for their country, but they died at the hands of ordinary people. Their deaths were so worthless.
This also makes the soldiers hate it even more. Even though you have such ability, you don't want to resist the Huns. Instead, you use your own troops to bully. Even if you bully the weak and fear the strong, then I'm sorry, and we will do the same next For real.
The Shen's giant crossbow that had not been used was installed under the city tower. Then every time the Ganren people rushed over driven by the Huns' cavalry, bursts of foot-long arrows were shot out, hundreds of steps away. , thus taking the lives of an unknown number of people, which greatly eased the pressure on the soldiers defending the city.
There were also more corpses of the common people under the city tower, and all kinds of unfavorable remarks followed. Tang Sheng in the Xiongnu army, the so-called scholar who was specially arranged to come here by Wei Qian'er, took this opportunity to They constantly publicized the cruelty of the Chinese army and how many civilians they killed, and arranged for people to continuously spread the news to the outside world.
This was what Wei Qian'er meant. She needed to be with the Hun King at all times and could not leave. However, Qingzhou's geographical location was very important and she did not want to give up. So after discussing with Hu Yangai, she sent two The army of tens of thousands of Xiongnu drove 200,000 Ganren people towards Qingzhou, hoping to put some pressure on the Chinese army so that the Qingzhou army could continue to rule here and defend the western defense line for the foreigners.
Tang Sheng appeared under Xingcheng on behalf of Wei Qian'er, with the purpose of finding every opportunity to discredit the Dahua Army.
For this reason, many civilians who were injured and unable to fight were let go. The reason why they were so kind was to let them help publicize the cruelty of the Dahua Army. When the news spread everywhere, the Dahua Army would If you want to enter other places, people's livelihood will naturally become boiling, and there will be many more obstacles.
This is a conspiracy, a conspiracy that leaves the First Field Army with no choice.
If they don't kill all the common people, they will die themselves. If they kill the other party, bad news will spread to themselves. They simply have no choice, so they choose the latter in order to protect themselves. This will definitely bring some infamy. of.
"It's really annoying." Zhou Qian stood under the city tower and saw another group of hundreds of Ganren civilians being let go and then running away in all directions. Although these people may not all say that the Dahua army was dissatisfied. Okay, but as long as there is only one tenth, the rumors are enough to make people suffer.
"Yes, the Huns are not prepared to establish a foothold here at all. They naturally don't care about reputation. But we are different. We will definitely rule here in the future. If the people here are hostile to us, it is really not the case. A good thing." Chief of Staff Li You sighed and looked helpless.
As if he felt that these words would damage the morale of the army and affect the soldiers' determination to fight resolutely, Li You changed his voice again and said: "Fortunately, His Majesty is coming. As long as His Majesty comes, the people here will be here."
The problem can eventually be solved."
In fact, what Li You wants to say is that as long as Tang Ao appears, the blame for fighting or retreating will not be shouldered by their first field army. This is not Li You shirking responsibility. This is really the case.
It's a bit too sensitive, especially if it reaches the ears of the scholars at the back. Who knows what these scholars will do or say. If the pressure is too great, they will become victims if the situation is not protected.
It's not that they don't believe in Tang Ao, it's actually the case in all dynasties. Looking at history, after a country is truly powerful and established, who doesn't play tricks like running dogs, cunning rabbits die, good bows are hidden, and flying birds are gone?
Woolen cloth?
The experience of history is there, and no one can guarantee whether Tang Ao will settle the score. Sometimes history is like this, and it is not driven by human will. Under such circumstances, even the emperor has many things that he cannot control, and even
Things happen that you cannot be the master of.
"Chief of Staff, don't say that. Your Majesty is not such a person. You are also a student of Longyuan after all, and now you are also a disciple of the Emperor. You must not say such things again in the future." Zhou Qian understood the meaning of Li You's words and said
His expression turned serious at that moment.
"Yes, there are no outsiders here." Li You smiled awkwardly, then looked around and found that no one was paying attention to them, so he felt relieved. The two had been partners for a while, and they
We have a tacit understanding and a deep friendship. It is natural to say something more profound.
While the division commander and chief of staff were discussing this matter on the Xingcheng tower, on the official road thirty miles away, Ye Fan and others were also comforting Tang Ao, telling him not to continue moving forward.
Don't go to Xingcheng again.
"Your Majesty, Longya and Anxiang have sent news. There are many places that are not conducive to us. The people around us are also talking about the cruelty of our Great Chinese Army. They will not even let go of their own people. I believe that the news will come soon.
It will be introduced to the land of Kyushu under the rule of Hua Kingdom. When that time comes, many people will definitely jump out. When that time comes, the pressure on your Majesty can be imagined. You will always have to give the world a
Explain. And as long as Your Majesty does not go to Xingcheng, there is still room for everything."
Ye Fan seemed to be speaking hoarsely, as if he was doing everything for Tang Ao's good.
"Yes, Your Majesty, this matter needs long-term consideration. Please think twice." Sun Fuhu, the brigade commander of the Guiyi Army, and Rong Shao, the chief of staff who were accompanying him, also stood up and stopped Tang Ao from moving forward.
The Guiyi Army finally no longer had to defend Pingcheng. Tang Ao took them into the Qingzhou territory this time. This was also to give them a chance to make meritorious deeds. After all, as the Guiyi Army who had joined the Jizhou Army in the early days, they
They have fought the fewest battles and made the fewest contributions, so they need to be given a platform to perform.
Sun Fuhu and Rong Shao spoke out to persuade, and the other accompanying Second Field Army Division Commander Wu Hu and Chief of Staff Luo Hua also looked at each other and stepped out to persuade.
Regardless of whether they had other thoughts in their hearts, but now that everyone has spoken out, it would not be good if they had no attitude at all, so they just followed the crowd and stood up. In this way, only Shaking the Mountain is left.
Zhou Jinwen, the commander of the Wei Menghu Brigade, stood aside and said nothing, so he seemed very abrupt.
"Well, Brigadier Zhou, they are all trying to persuade me, why don't you say anything?" Tang Ao looked at Zhou Jinwen with interest and asked with a smile.
When all the generals heard this, their expressions turned bitter. Look, Zhou Jinwen was the only one who didn't dissuade me. Now His Majesty will blame you.
In fact, who among the generals at this time did not understand the meaning of Ye Fan's words, and who did not understand that he must stop Tang Ao from going to Xingcheng?
After all, the responsibility for killing so many Ganren civilians this time is very big. Although they really deserve to be killed, they are actually enemies of the Chinese army. If you don't kill them, you will die. But here's the thing Things can't be said in this way.
Especially after the incident spread to the rear, how many people can understand the Dahua Army?
If you can't understand it, various theories will inevitably appear, and it will eventually turn into a drama of forcing the palace. At that time, in order to stabilize the people's hearts, Tang Ao, who had to be the emperor, had to make some decisions.
Should we sacrifice some military leaders in the future to suppress these remarks that are not good for China and may even affect the foundation of China? Or should we keep the generals and allow the situation to continue to develop seriously, so that we lose the support of the people?
Presumably when anyone faces this choice, they will choose the former without hesitation.
After understanding this, the outcome of the First Field Army defending Xingcheng seems to be doomed. In order to appease the anger of the uninformed common people and scholars in the country, Zhou Qian and Li You will be used as shields and even scapegoats. Push it out.
Big problems can be solved by sacrificing only a few people, which is also the most efficient solution.
It is precisely because everyone understands this truth that Commander Wu Hu and Chief of Staff Luo Hua of the Second Field Army reluctantly stepped forward to stop them. In the end, their hearts were towards Zhou Qian and Rong Shao, because they were both For people along the way, their today may be their own tomorrow.
But they are thinking about one thing, and on the surface they still have to do something to stop it. And if they don't do it, they will be selfish people who only think about themselves. In that case, I'm afraid there will be no consequences for Zhou Qian and the others. , I have to be dealt with first.
Just like Zhou Jinwen, who is silent now, wasn't it just that Tang Ao took him out alone?
When everyone looked at Zhou Jinwen and even felt a little pity, Zhou Jinwen spoke, "Your Majesty is wise and powerful. He already knows what he can and cannot do. How can a warrior like me interfere?" Yes. Your Majesty, if you tell me to move forward, I will move forward. If you tell me to retreat, I will retreat. As for the rest, it is not something that I should consider."
Zhou Jinwen actually made such a statement, which shocked everyone. Feng Shuang, the chief of staff of the Tiger Brigade who was standing next to him, was so shocked that his eyes widened. Although he had not joined the Tiger Brigade very long, It's been a long time, but it's been a year since then, and this is the first time I've seen the taciturn brigade commander speak so nicely. In other words, he's so flattering.
"Haha, hahaha." Sure enough, Tang Ao also laughed out loud at Zhou Jinwen's words.