Zhao Xiaole stayed in Juyongguan for several days in a row.
Since the panda's weakness was discovered, Governor Xunyang and others were full of confidence in the barbarians' possible subsequent battle to attack the city.
With the firearm, he also found Pixiu's weakness.
Even if you can't defeat the opponent, you can still defend it, right?
However, Zhao Xiaole wanted more than just defense. He had to end the war in the south as soon as possible and then march north.
Today's Jingyang can be said to be in danger of internal and external troubles.
There is no time to waste time with the other person.
Moreover, the stock of bamboo is also very limited, and it is impossible to supply it in unlimited quantities. It is still unknown whether this war can even be fought to an end.
In view of this, Zhao Xiaole must meet with the King of Minnan.
Urge the other party to send troops as soon as possible.
"Master Marquis, maybe the barbarians will attack Juyong Pass in the next two days. If you were not here, my subordinates would have no idea at all!"
Prefect Xunyang said with a grimace.
Zhao Xiaole's recent performance has deeply won the favor of many soldiers, and his prestige in the hearts of everyone is also very high.
His departure was not only a loss of command to everyone, but also a spiritual support for everyone.
Zhao Xiaole sighed, "Once the barbarians attack Juyong Pass, you will defend it for me!"
"I leave the artillery and musketeers to you. You don't have to win this battle. You just need to defend Juyong Pass for me!"
"I will work with the army of the King of Southern Fujian to cut off the retreat of the barbarians. When the time comes, we will close the door and beat the dogs, and the barbarians will become turtles in the jar!"
Zhao Xiaole made plans for the future battle plan.
That is to unite with the King of Minnan to risk cutting off the enemy's retreat.
How serious is it that the road back is cut off?
Everyone knows this.
As the saying goes, troops and horses move forward before food and grass are used.
If the way back is cut off, it means the food route is cut off.
If the food road is cut off, it means that you will lose without fighting. It can be said that the food road is the lifeline of the army.
If the supplies cannot keep up, it is like a person being choked.
But, will the King of Southern Fujian send troops?
People are full of doubts.
Zhao Xiaole snorted, "I went to see him in the name of the prince, but he couldn't refuse. No matter what, I put the knife to his neck."
"I must let him send troops!"
After saying that, Zhao Xiaole hammered the wall hard.
When everyone saw this, they didn't dare to say anything.
…
On the day Zhao Xiaole left, you could faintly see the scattered cavalry of the barbarians outside the city, and you could also see the fortifications built by the barbarians.
I'm afraid that the war will start within a few days.
Zhao Xiaole was not too reassured and warned him carefully several times, "Just hold the city for me, there is no need to defeat them!"
All the generals nodded, "Don't worry, Lord Marquis. If we defeat the barbarians, we can't guarantee it. If we can save the city, we can issue a military order."
"Yes, there are firearms to help, but the barbarian is not worth mentioning!"
"..."
In recent days, the Governor of Xunyang has mobilized almost all civilian forces to build red cannons, whether they are usable or not.
As long as you can build it, you will be rewarded heavily.
And the people all over the city also knew that if the barbarians invaded Xunyang, nothing would be left behind.
Therefore, although they could not build a musket, with the help of everyone, ordinary people donated their iron tools.
Used to cast red cannons and cannonballs.
Under the leadership and call of Wang Wanwan, the wealthy people in Jiangnan also contributed money and efforts to help the defending army build cannons.
In this case, the production method of the red cannon was leaked, but the number of cannons also increased crazily.
Finally, in just a few days, the number of cannons increased to more than twenty.
After seeing this scene, Zhao Xiaole almost felt relieved.
Even if there were a group of pigs placed on top of the city, the barbarians would not be able to easily break through Juyong Pass.
When the time comes, let them have a taste of the power of the red cannon.
In fact, things have basically stabilized at this point.
This was also the reason why Governor Xunyang tried his best to dissuade Zhao Xiaole from going to see the King of Minnan, but Zhao Xiaole still needed time and he needed to win quickly.
And it must be won quickly.
Just spending time on defense here is useless.
At the same time, the barbarian mounts have always been a serious concern for Zhao Xiaole.
He must get rid of this serious problem before Wang Wanwan's bamboo deposits are exhausted.
So Zhao Xiaole set off.
He kept all the guards he had brought with him.
Let them continue training the musketeers.
But he brought two thousand cavalry with him.
This is almost all the cavalry force.
Considering the defense of the city, there is no need for cavalry to participate in the battle.
He wants to assign new tasks to these cavalrymen.
What surprised him was that the queen also wanted to follow him to the territory of the King of Minnan.
Zhao Xiaole was stunned, "The King of Southern Fujian is an old pervert. If you go to see him, what if you fall in love with him?"
"Master Marquis, aren't you planning on this? Use me in exchange for the opportunity for the King of Southern Fujian to send troops, so you can go back and have a private meeting with those little cowards."
The queen said disdainfully.
"How can you think of me so much? What kind of person am I?" Zhao Xiaole laughed dumbly.
The queen just snorted and said nothing.
The two of them sat in a carriage and drove to Li City.
Li City is adjacent to Xunyang.
But it is the territory of the King of Minnan.
Zhao Xiaole ordered him to come to see him in the name of the prince.
It stands to reason that the King of Minnan would listen to the propaganda but not the propaganda, but now he neither listens to the propaganda nor the propaganda.
If I don’t come and see Zhao Xiaole again, I really can’t make sense.
Everything must be accounted for equally, right?
Otherwise, you might as well put up your anti-flag flag and establish yourself as emperor.
From morning to almost noon.
Zhao Xiaole and the convoy arrived in Licheng.
The envoy from the King of Southern Fujian had already been waiting in the suburbs to greet him. "Thank you for your hard work, Lord Marquis, who came all the way."
"The lower official is the Crown Prince, the Grand Tutor, and I'm here to greet you."
Zhao Xiaole had already advanced, got out of the carriage, put on a tall horse, and asked: "Where is the King of Southern Fujian?"
The Taifu replied: "Your Majesty is very happy to have come to Li City. After the people heard about it, they even gathered here. Your Majesty has always loved the people like a son. At this moment, he is trapped by the people and it is difficult to escape."
Zhao Xiaole said coldly: "I ask you what the King of Southern Fujian is doing. What's the use of telling these useless things?"
The Taifu had no choice but to speak again: "Go back to the Marquis, the prince is choosing a concubine."
Zhao Xiaole muttered a few words of curses and shouted: "Get out of here, I want to enter the city, don't block the way."
Although the Taifu was afraid of Zhao Xiaole's reputation, he did not give way. Instead, he said in a neither humble nor arrogant tone:
"The prince has given orders. If the marquis comes, he will naturally be welcomed. However, the marquis can only bring thirty personal soldiers into the city, and the others can only stay in the military camp outside the city."
At the same time, the soldiers behind the Taifu were also ready to prepare.