"Sixty-one medicine crossbowmen from the Yang family entered the city from the north gate. They quickly answered the door and asked where they would be placed."
"The medicine crossbowmen of the Yang family are guarding the south gate. Please ask Yao Sundi to help relocate them to the people's homes on Chenggen Street in Nancheng. He can speak there and it will be useful."
"Seventy soldiers from the Fengyili community are waiting at the foot of the east gate city ladder."
"Let me take a look at Feng Yili."
On the top of Dongzuomen City, Pang Yu flipped through the "Thief Prevention Preparation" in his hand, "Fengyili has more soldiers than originally planned. We will transfer them to Xiangyang Gate, Section 81, and appoint people to each crenel.
Write your name on which crenel is decided, and the third team of the strong squad will send someone to teach you how to defend the city."
"The squad leader, 113 soldiers from Qingfeng City, and the supervising warrior gentry Wang Wenyao, have gathered at Doujiaqiao."
"Go to section 72 of Dongzuomen. You put the short spears away first and teach them when you come. Then call the blacksmith shop. In the past few days, we are only making short spears for the city head. The more the better, each family will make good ones.
If you get ten pieces, give them ten pieces, don’t wait until they are finished before giving them away.”
"Just now Jiang Xiucai came to ask if the soldiers were staying in the grass factory at night and were not allowed to go home?"
"No, it's just that everyone must be present for drills during the day. In the evening, one person will be left in every fifth stack, and two more will be left in each workshop to deliver orders. Everyone else should go home and rest."
Pang Yu turned to the other Kuaishou and said, "This is what everyone said when asked, let the soldiers have a full rest before the bandits show up."
"The military room asked if the dozen Zaoban slaves wanted to go to the city."
Pang Yu said without any doubt, "Of course they have to go to the city. It's not just them. The county government's clerks, servants, cooks, sweepers, horsemen, Yin and Yang, all those who earn work, food and money with the county government, and those who are strong must
When we have to go to the city, the old and weak help carry things. Every day we say that the common people are the parents of food and clothing. Our parents have gone to the city wall to fight. It is not right for a son to still want to hide in peace. What good thing does Wang Dazhuang have in mind?"
The Kuaishou who delivered the order turned and left. Pang Yu breathed a long sigh of relief when he saw that there was no one lined up behind him.
After the warning of the rogue bandits came, Yang Erming handed over all command of the city defense to Pang Yu. At this time, even the barracks could only listen to his orders.
Tongcheng officially entered a defensive state, and Pang Yu began to mobilize troops and generals according to the plan. However, when it was actually implemented, he still found that there were many unexpected things, most of which were detailed issues, but he could not let it go.
After Pang Yu rested for a while, he called Yao Dongshandao by the city stairs, "Your squadron will stay in the Dongzuomen Tower tonight. Three squads will take turns to rest. One squad must be on guard, one squad will patrol the city wall, and one squadron will be on guard duty.
Wu is guarding the city gate.
When you have time, communicate with those soldiers more often. You can't defend the six-mile city wall just by relying on strong squads. Be gentle with the soldiers.
If there is a police presence at night, they will fire cannons and beat gongs."
"clear."
Yao Dongshan stood at attention, then relaxed his posture and said, "After those social soldiers came to the city, the city was in chaos. There were countless family members delivering food and clothes. Can you not let them come up, just adding to the chaos?"
.”
Pang Yu took a look at the city wall and saw that there were indeed people coming and going. Many women were carrying rice bowls, some were holding several children, and one woman was carrying a large pot, saying it was used to protect her husband from arrows.
A straw mill was built on the city wall, hanging curtains were hung in the direction of the crenels, high lamps, and various equipment and firearms were piled on the road, with braziers in between. It was already a bit cramped, but now that these people came, it became even more crowded.
He couldn't help but laugh and said, "We can't defend the city without soldiers. It's the first day, and my family is worried that they are being cleaned up.
Later, when you teach the soldiers, tell them not to let their family members go to the city in the future. Don't say it will cause trouble, just say that rogue bandits will come at any time to prevent stray arrows from hurting their family members. They will naturally tell those women not to come.
Those who really want to come should wait under the city ladder and can only be handed over by strong men."
"This is a good idea, squad leader."
Yao Dongshan patted the helmet and said, "Everything difficult can be handled easily here at the head of the class." Pang Yu looked at the helmet for a moment. Everything looked wrong. The helmet was not smooth at all, and there was a lump on the right side. It was not as smooth as Pang Yu had in his impression.
Lightning rod, it seems that the technical level of Tongcheng Blacksmith Shop needs to be improved. It can only be said that it is better than nothing.
Pang Ding ran up from the city ladder, "The family members of more than seventy strong men in the Zhuang class have entered the city, and they have all been settled in the old house of the Ye family. The roster has been written here."
Pang Yu took it, glanced at it, and handed it back to Pang Ding, "For those whose families have entered the city, there will be no night watch tonight. Let them see their families and inform them."
Pang Ding's legs went weak. Today, more than 200 people in the strong squad were scattered on the six-mile-long city wall, teaching the soldiers how to defend themselves everywhere. It was only six miles away after being notified, and there was no way to avoid walking through the streets and alleys from the city.
force.
Pang Yu pointed to the city, "Ride my horse."
Pang Ding went happily. After Pang Yu watched Pang Ding leave, he stood by the wall and looked outside the city. Yang Erming was also working at Zilai Bridge today. He didn't know what the situation was, but he saw a large group of people gathered at the head of the bridge.
People, Yang Erming seemed to be surrounded in the middle, arguing about something.
…At the west end of Zilai Bridge, people were hurrying to and fro on the bridge, and there were many businesses conducting operations to transport things to the city. A tense atmosphere filled the streets.
Yang Erming was surrounded by a group of village chiefs who came from the countryside. His face turned red and he kept talking, and his voice became hoarse.
"Your Majesty sent someone to tell you that the bandits were coming, and asked me to call the police to ask the people to leave their homes to avoid trouble. I don't know but it is true.
Everything else is easy to say. It is hard to say that someone going out to help the old and the young in this freezing cold weather will not be killed. If it turns out to be a false alarm and someone dies because of it, then those people will be blamed.
What if I have to wait to pay for it with my life?”
Yang Erming looked at the commander there and spoke as slowly as possible, "I repeatedly asked Ma Kuai who sent the message. They did see many people escaping in Luzhou. There is no doubt that Luzhou has closed the city under martial law.
"
Another old man next to him said, "But he didn't see the bandits. He said the same thing last time in Qianshan. They didn't come in the end. Rumors on the road are inherently unreliable. Even if there is indeed a police force in Luzhou, there may not be a police force in Tongcheng.
There are still hundreds of miles in between.
It’s not like we are embarrassing you, because few people in the village leave home. If the whole family goes out to avoid trouble, and the bandits don’t come in the end, but something is lost at home, I don’t know how many people will come looking for us, the village elders.”
Another old man in the village echoed, "Your Majesty, I am a scholar who is knowledgeable and reasonable, but not everyone in the countryside is reasonable.
If they themselves learn that the bandits are coming, it is a matter of friendship for us to help them when they are about to flee.
But now it is the county government who asked the district chief to call the police, and it was we who asked them to flee. Once they go out, they will have to rely on our district chief for food, drink, food, clothing, housing and transportation, and they will also be able to explain who asked you to call the police. In this way
, we can’t even support it even if we lose everything.”
Yang Erming came to Zilai Bridge today to supervise the grain stores outside the city to transport grain into the city. He happened to meet the li chief who was coming.
He had rarely faced so many district chiefs. When he was in the county government hall on weekdays, these district chiefs were all honest and honest. It was only now that each of these people said something to him that he found it so difficult to deal with them.
He closed his eyes to steady himself. After opening his eyes, he said to the chiefs around him, "There are still two people who are investigating in Luzhou Mansion. I sent someone to Luzhou yesterday to pick up the case. There should be accurate news in the near future."
return.
If the bandits don't come, it's naturally a good thing, but if they do come, they won't be able to run away, and it's like sitting back and waiting to die.
Which one is less important and which one is more serious, you should know in your mind."
"The county government asked me to wait to call the police, but food and shelter have been prepared in the city. Otherwise, how could we tell the villagers."
Yang Erming said awkwardly, "I have tried my best to raise funds, but it is indeed a bit cramped."
"Your Majesty, please be considerate, but we cannot pass on this warning unless you can be sure that the bandit will definitely come."
"This... How can I determine the whereabouts of bandits?"
Yang Erming was quite anxious and didn't know how to deal with it. The three slaves around him had little experience and just stood behind him in a daze.
A group of village chiefs surrounded Yang Erming and continued to make noise. Although it was not a siege, it still made Yang Erming very embarrassed.
"What are you doing around Mr. Tang?"
A voice sounded outside, and the manager looked back. Many people had seen Pang Yu when they handed over food in the autumn. Knowing that it was the murderous leader Pang, they all stopped and moved out of the way.
Pang Yu walked up to Yang Erming, scanned the area and said, "The county government only asks you to call the police. What do you call the police? If you don't come, call the police. If you do, call the police a disaster."
The responsibility of you district chiefs is to tell the people about the appearance of rogue bandits in Luzhou, so that they can be prepared first and be ready to flee at any time. You can go out early, but you are not responsible for eating, drinking and urinating."
One of the village leaders took courage and said, "As we just said, the villagers may not be willing to go out. What's more, it's cold and freezing at this time. Since the county government is going to pass..." Pang Yu interrupted, "What are they going to do?
Regarding their affairs, if they want to wait at home until the bandits block the door, the county government will not be able to carry them into the city. They are responsible for their own lives, but the county government must speak out.
You want me to be sure whether the bandits are coming, and you are not trying to embarrass me. There are rumors all over Luzhou that even Fengyang was burned down. All the general soldiers in the capital can't be sure where the bandits are going. How can me be sure?
.”
Pang Yu finished speaking in one breath, without giving any face to these lieutenants. He was now in charge of two to three hundred subordinates, and his words seemed to be taken for granted. The lieutenants looked at Pang Yu blankly, and no one dared to refute him for a moment.
he.
"What are you waiting for here?"
A group of village chiefs spoke to no one and were unwilling to leave now. They also came to the city to inquire about information.
Yang Erming took this opportunity to escape and waved to Pang Yu, who quickly followed.
"It's easy to talk things over with the gentry. All the wealthy households in the city are giving out money and grain. How come these people are so unreasonable?"
Yang Erming said as he walked, "Let's not talk about them. There is another place in your plan that requires me to go there in person."
Pang Yu thought about it and said, "Dong Lai Lou?"
"Exactly."
Yang Erming looked up and saw the Donglai Tower still standing.
It was very close from Zilai Bridge, and the two of them arrived at Donglai Tower in a short time.
The outside of the building was filled with nearby people, and the crowd was noisy. Xu Dianshi, who came first, was here, as well as Jiang Zhihuai, Sun Yi, Jiang Chen, Fang Wen and other gentry representatives.
Mr. Li from Zilai Street said loudly to Xu Dianshi, "The official cannot burn the building. The building is so high. If it collapses, it will burn everywhere. Our family's property is here, so we don't dare to set fire to it."
Another old woman who was close by heard the thud and knelt on the ground, "I heard that the county government wants to burn down the houses close to the city wall, but that's not possible. Our small family only relies on this. Where will we live after they are burned down?"
ah?
I beg you, sir."
As soon as these words came out, a large number of people knelt down around him, and Xu Dianshi was at a loss for what to do.
Jiang Zhihuai advised loudly from the side, "Everyone in the township party is more knowledgeable. No one wants rogue bandits to come, but we in Tongcheng rely on this city wall. If we don't burn the houses on the edge of the city, it will be much cheaper for the rogue bandits to come to the city.
When the time comes, they break into the city, close the city and die, and what’s the use of leaving the houses behind?”
The common people didn't want to listen and cried and made noise in the field.
While the chaos was brewing, Liu Xiucai appeared on the second floor of the Donglai Building. He cursed below, "You have the guts to burn me together."
You shepherds and guardians don't think of ways to guard against thieves and focus on dealing with Tongcheng Xiangzi, but you have a good idea and use the bandits as a cover. Who are you trying to deceive? Where are the bandits? Ask me to see them."
Jiang Zhihuai said angrily to Liu Xiucai, "The county government officials have seen with their own eyes that the bandits have arrived in Luzhou."
"Jiang Zhihuai, please stop interfering. I heard what people on the road said about the horse. He has been back for four days, and the bandits are also riding. They will arrive early. Where are the bandits now?"
Jiang Chen also said to Liu Xiucai, "The rogue bandits are naturally faster and slower than the horse that reports the news.
In this critical time, Brother Liu must not be short-sighted."
"Brother Jiang, don't be fooled by them. The county government is going to burn people's property without even seeing the bandits. What's the point of this! I'm going to complain to Anqing Mansion and to the capital to file a complaint."
After hearing this, Jiang Zhihuai became furious and yelled at Liu Xiucai from across the building.
When Yang Erming walked into the arena at this time, he also felt a headache. In fact, the preparations in the city were quite smooth, because after experiencing the last civil unrest, the big families, elders, and gentry in the city knew that they could not escape, and everyone's wealth was here.
, organized social troops and donated materials very enthusiastically, and the city defense has already taken some shape.
On the contrary, mobilization in rural areas is very difficult, and only a small number of villages have begun preparations.
Yang Erming and Zhou Xiancheng began to persuade the people who were kneeling, while Pang Yu called on He Xianya who was waiting outside.
"Is there any news about Hanako and Hosaku?"
He Xianya shook his head, "The city is so busy with people coming and going that we can't close the roads."
Pang Yu pondered for a moment. After such a vigorous search, Huazi disappeared without a trace. Either there was someone in the city to help him, or he had already escaped from the city.
The focus now has become mobilization, and Pang Yu does not have the extra strength to go all over the city, so he can only put it down temporarily.
He raised his head and looked at the Donglai Building in front of him. At this time, Liu Xiucai had ended his scolding battle with Jiang Chen, closed the windows on the second floor, and he didn't know where he went.
He Xianya said in a low voice, "Liu Xiucai is guarding the door of the building. It is not possible to demolish it even if it is burned."
"Who dares to burn a scholar to death in broad daylight?
At this time, the people are very angry, let alone use fire."
Pang Yu said coldly to He Xianya, "This section of Zilai Street is your jurisdiction. The bandits are approaching. You must handle this matter properly."
There was no room for negotiation in Pang Yu's tone. He Xianya knew that the third brother's identity was not easy to use at this time. After staring at the ground for a moment, he raised his head and said to Pang Yu, "You can't use fire but demolish it. You have to get out the people inside."
If you find a way to dismantle it, my subordinates will take care of it."
"What to do?"
"I'll do it on my own, as long as everyone present can bear witness."
Pang Yu didn't ask him in detail what to do, he just nodded and watched He Xianya stride towards Donglai Tower.
Several gentry around saw it and took notice.
He Xianya walked to the door of the Donglai Building and said respectfully inside, "I am the county government official and I am here to deliver a message for you."
Liu Xiucai's voice inside said harshly, "Go away, Yang Erming won't open the door even if he comes."
He Xianya leaned against the crack of the door and said, "The county magistrate is considerate of the scholar. Just now, Caitangzun and Xu Dianshi discussed it again, but they have offered to buy this building, but it is not convenient to say it outside the door."
After a moment of silence inside, the door creaked open. Liu Xiucai opened the door slightly and looked at He Xianya. He remembered that he had seen this person in Baishun Hall and said with suspicion, "It turns out he is Pang Gouyi's follower."
, why do you ask a lowly servant to tell me why Jiang Zhihuai and Jiang Chen didn’t come?"
"The money comes from the county government. It is inconvenient for the county magistrate to come forward and let others know, otherwise the people nearby will come to the county government to discuss the money, so I asked the villain to discuss it privately."
Liu Xiucai stared at He Xianya for a moment, and finally let the door open. As soon as He Xianya came in, he immediately closed the door and bolted it.
People outside were all paying attention, because Liu Xiucai had kept the door closed all day and refused to let anyone in. I don't know what the government official had in mind.
Everyone also wants to know what the outcome of the discussion will be.
In the locked lobby, Liu Xiucai sat down swaggeringly and said to He Xianya, "Tell me, how much money did Yang Erming give?
Needless to say, there is a shortage of one thousand, seven hundred taels."
He Xianya took a look and found that the normally bustling lobby of Donglai Building was empty. All the waiters and chefs had left, and Liu Xiucai was the only one there.
His eyes returned to Liu Xiucai's face, "Hurry up and give me a tael of silver."
Liu Xiucai was stunned for a moment, and his face slowly turned fierce, "How dare you bully me? I haven't settled the matter of chopping off my hand last time with you. Today, in full view of everyone, you still want to commit murder."
He Xianya's face jumped, "You can get money if you want it, and it doesn't matter if we can't negotiate, but you shouldn't beat up the official! This official is not here to give you money, but to send you to prison."
Liu Xiucai was a little confused, but more angry, "You are talking nonsense like a bitch, tell me who you injured, don't spit on anyone!"
Before Liu Xiucai could react, He Xianya suddenly picked up a ceramic teapot on the table next to him and slammed it on his head.
The porcelain teapot accidentally broke into pieces, and clattered all over the floor.
He Xianya's face was covered with blood and he staggered back two steps.
Liu Xiucai was dumbfounded and pointed at He Xianya, murmuring, "You, you..." "He beat Master Bencha!"
He Xianya held on to the wall and gasped.
After saying this, He Xianya stumbled against the door, pulled off the bolt and went out. Liu Xiucai was speechless and followed him to the door in a daze.
When the people outside saw a slave come out with blood all over his head, they were in an uproar.
Yang Erming and a group of gentry gathered around, and Pang Yu rushed to help He Xianya.
He Xianya said to Yang Erming, "Your Majesty, I have good words to persuade you, but I never thought that Liu Xiucai would dare to beat an official, and he is still in the building."
Jiang Zhihuai pointed at Liu Xiucai and said, "Thanks for your fame, you actually did such a thing. Today we are witnesses."
Liu Xiucai couldn't even speak smoothly and stammered, "Then, don't believe him, I..." Yang Erming looked angrily at Liu Xiucai, who was standing in front of the door, and said loudly, "In broad daylight, there is no king."
Law.
Liu Xiucai used something else to beat and injure an official responsible for seducing him on official business, Bantou Pang, take it!"