"There are people here who sew firecrackers, men, women, old and young. We need to convert all the firecrackers into firecrackers, wrap them with cloth and nails, and tie them tightly on the outside. Are there any? The military hospital needs twenty.
Are there any volunteers who are taking care of the wounded?"
In the evening, the outer courtyard of the Chenghuang Temple in Tongchengyi North City was filled with people.
Wu Tac Choi walked from the outer courtyard to the inner courtyard on crutches, shouting as he walked. Most of the people lying down did not respond, their heads drooped to one side. Wu Tac Choi saw that there were many young and strong men and women among them, and some old men and women were also in the labor force.
, but no one responded.
The inner courtyard of the City God's Temple is where the military hospital is located. The outer courtyard is inhabited by people who fled from Nancheng. It has been mobilized twice. Some of the people who were willing to become social soldiers went there the first time, but there are always new people coming to Nancheng.
Fifty people were still needed to make fire thunders, and manpower was tight everywhere. Wu Tachai personally came out to recruit, hoping to make more fire thunders.
This kind of fire thunder is definitely not as powerful as the bamboo tube version, but it is easier to make. Tongchengyi has a large population, and before the Chinese New Year, a huge number of firecrackers are prepared. Individual gunpowder is also available, which is sold to nearby firecracker workshops, but the quantity is already very large.
If there is less, it will be used up quickly. Now most of the gunpowder needs to be dismantled from the firecrackers, which is very labor-intensive.
The Qing army is already outside the city, and the Anqing camp is trying to buy time to prepare. The more manpower the better.
These people came from Nancheng. They were in shock for a while, and no one applied.
Wu Dacai shouted again, "Are there any people who are going to defend the city wall? You can't even try to save your own home. If the Tatars come in, nothing will happen."
A young man stood up, and Ng Tak Choi looked happy. The woman next to the man stretched out her hand to hold him tightly, and the man sat back down again.
Wu DaCai was furious. He held up his sword and was about to go to the young couple's position. Suddenly he heard a female voice behind him saying, "Master Wu, I heard that new Tatars have arrived."
Wu Tat Choi quickly put away the fierce look on his face and turned around in a gentle manner. He saw the female doctor Shen Miyue behind him, her hands still stained with blood.
"Doctor Shen is working hard. I heard that he was busy in the afternoon, so I didn't dare to disturb him."
Shen Miyue shook her head and sat down in front of the courtyard door, "They were all injured in the teaching field. Seven were seriously injured, four of them are dead. If two of the remaining three can survive, their work will not be in vain."
.I heard that there are new Tatars here. If there is a war tomorrow, there will definitely be more casualties, and the military hospital will need to prepare more supplies."
"The watch post just reported that about five hundred people have arrived. They are currently outside the North City. Doctor Shen can rest assured that they are all Tatar vests. Without any equipment, they cannot knock down the city wall. If there is a war tomorrow, the Tatars will be ferocious.
There must be a lot of injured people in the camp, and we have bought medicinal materials from several herbal medicine shops. We will prepare more cotton cloth and the like tonight, and Pang Pang asked that they all be boiled in boiling water."
Shen Miyue turned to Wu Dacai, "The deputy chief clerk told the slave family the truth, can we keep it?"
As soon as the female doctor's eyes turned around, Wu Dacai subconsciously puffed up his chest and tried to look more powerful, "I just accompanied the big man to inspect various places in the city. The morale of the soldiers is high and there are many righteous people. We can definitely defend it.
Even if ten thousand Tatars come, we can hold on..."
Shen Miyue smiled and looked at the people in the courtyard outside, "I'm afraid there are too few volunteers. All the helpers from the Transport Department have been transferred away. The military hospital is also short of manpower. I heard that the walls are not full of wall stacks. There are some outside. Many of these people did not apply for the recruitment. The slave family was a little worried, but
I still believe what you say, sir, we can hold on."
Wu Dacai didn't know what to say for a moment, and he sat in front of the courtyard gate, watching from the corner of his eye the remaining blood on Shen Miyue's hand slowly solidifying.
It seemed that he only sat for a moment, but Wu Tachai felt that it was a long time, until the subordinates of the clerical team ran in front of him from the outer courtyard door. The subordinate stopped in front of Wu Tachai and said, "Pang Pang is here."
Wu Dacai's whole body trembled. He didn't care to talk to Shen Miyue and hurriedly greeted him at the temple gate. Pang Yu just walked to the temple gate, followed by Jiang Guoyong, the pier and the general manager of the baggage department, and the general manager of the baggage department was talking. What are you wearing?
When Pang Yu saw Wu Dacai, he waved to him. Wu Dacai hurriedly came to him, and Pang Yu signaled to the general manager of the baggage department to continue speaking.
"Most of the people in Nancheng have gone to the north. Except for those who fled to the countryside, it is roughly estimated that there are three to four thousand people in the city. There are 200 people who have applied for social soldiers, all of whom are young martial arts practitioners. There are more than 300 people who have applied for labor force. , In fact, there are many young and strong people inside who can also serve as social soldiers. There is a shortage of people everywhere now. If the city walls are guarded by the baggage commander and the social soldiers, and there are only one person for three battlements, it would be best to recruit more social soldiers. After the repairs are completed, After the barricade, they went to guard the city wall, and the battalion could concentrate on dealing with the attacking slaves inside the city."
This time Jiang Guoyong said directly, "It is not necessarily necessary to have one person per crenel. When the bandits come, there are many thieves. Now there are thousands of Tatars. They have no equipment. The Tatars cannot attack the city wall on three sides."
"I don't know how many Tatars will arrive tomorrow. Those Xuan soldiers said that on that day when Jiazhuang was fighting, the Tatars mobilized 20,000 people in one night. At that time, there were only four banners. If eight banners and 40,000 people came, the city wall would be destroyed. We need to be able to defend it first. Your Excellency said that we should be lenient to the enemy and recruit more social soldiers."
The General Manager of the Transport Department looked at Wu Dacai, "We have recruited all those who are willing to go. There are quite a few people left who just don't want to go. I don't know what's going on with Deputy General Wu's clerk."
Wu Tat Choi shook his head, "This is to protect their wealth and lives. These people are ignorant. But I also thought that it is human nature to be afraid of Tatars. You can tell them some truth. If they don't understand, you have to explain it in another way. .”
Wu Dacai turned to Pang Yu and said respectfully, "Sir, it's better to do what Tan Laizi did and spend money to recruit.
Pang Yu nodded and said, "I always think about others guarding, so that I don't have to take risks and save my life. This is the most profitable. Naturally, some people will think so. There must be brave men under the heavy reward, so we will give them money." Defend the city."
The general manager of the baggage department said, "They just don't listen to empty talk. They don't understand the stamps. If we give cash, we won't have much left."
Pang Yu said matter-of-factly, "If it's not enough, just raise funds."
Jiang Guoyong and others looked at each other in confusion, and the dock was also a little confused. He had faced threats to his life in the past few days, and he looked quite haggard.
Pang Yu said politely to the dock, "Mr. Luo, are there any big merchants you know well in Tongcheng Station? I would like to ask Mr. Luo to help me borrow some cash."
The dock looked around and said, "The Tatars are besieging the city now. If you have a knife in your hand, you can just go and rob those merchants. Why do you have to ask a villain to borrow it?"
Pang Yu smiled and said, "I value credit more than life, and I also
I'm not afraid of the Tatars outside the city. They won't be able to capture the Tongcheng Station. So not only will I not rob it, but I will also pay interest if I borrow it. I don't care how much interest you borrow, we will settle the settlement here as agreed upon."
When the dock man heard this, he immediately forgot about the Tatars and immediately became energetic, "How much interest will you pay, sir?"
Pang Yu continued, "I didn't expect the fight to last so long, and I don't have enough cash. If you can trust me, I will give you an IOU first, and I will pay you back when the money arrives after the freeze is opened."
"The villain can trust the adults. As long as the price is negotiated, the adults will not be short of money. But what the villain is worried about is that even though Tongcheng Station is defended, the battle is not over yet. The adults may have to go all the way to the north to fight.
, I can’t say it’s perfect when I go into battle. Just like that, if Chief Tan Bao says it’s gone, he’ll be gone. I’m afraid that I won’t be able to find someone to replace it with the IOU, and the bamboo basket will be empty, and all the merchants will come to me for payment.”
Wu Dachai said angrily, "When was our Anqing camp defeated? Do you know how to speak?"
The dock head bowed repeatedly, but had no intention of changing his words. Pang Yu looked at him with interest, "You are right. If it were me, I would be worried about this problem, so you are indeed taking risks, and the rewards must be consistent. Every month
Is the interest rate of one penny appropriate?”
The wharf took a hissing breath. One penny of monthly interest can be doubled in a year, but Pang Yu can give such a high interest rate, so the loan period will definitely not be too long.
He waited for a long time and said, "Sir, two dollars."
Ng Tak Choi couldn't help but feel angry in his heart. This dock was like a replica of Tan Lezi. It was equally disgusting and made people want to cut it with a knife.
Pang Yu didn't lose his temper, and said without hesitation, "The total amount is thirty thousand taels, can you get it together?"
The dock man raised his eyes slightly and observed Pang Yu, "Sir, don't look for other places to purchase in Shandong from now on."
Pang Yu shook his head, "I can only agree to this trip to King Qin. Future purchases will be based on the market price. I will use whose goods are good and priced. If the price is the same, I will use yours."
On the other hand, the dock man breathed a sigh of relief, "The villain agrees."
Pang Yu immediately said, "The monthly interest is two cents. You are not only responsible for borrowing the money, but also helping to recruit volunteers. This is to protect the lives of all of us. This money is for the volunteers."
The general manager of the baggage department asked probingly, "How much remuneration will you give me, sir?"
"This price must make them forget their fear." Pang Yu thought about it and said, "One tael per day for those who fight, five yen per day for those who work, and three meals per day."
Several people present gasped at the same time. Remuneration of one tael of silver per day was simply unheard of. Even if the labor was three cents per day, it was still a sky-high price. This giant man borrowed the silver at a high interest rate and spent it like this. He had never seen such a recruitment of volunteers.
of the people.
Even Wu Dacai felt that his mind was blank, and Pang Yu continued, "As long as the Tatars are driven away, the soldiers who go into battle will receive another ten taels of silver, and each of those who work hard will receive three taels."
The field was quiet for another moment, and Jiang Guoyong finally said, "If we pay such a daily salary, it will be higher than our Anqing camp soldiers, and we can't compete with the camp soldiers in the war, so we can only pay them such a high salary for the camp."
There are no soldiers, for fear of damaging the morale of the camp soldiers."
Wu Dacai observed Pang Yu's face and said, "The camp soldiers are there every month. These social soldiers are only for a few days. They are incomparable."
Pang Yu thought for a moment and said, "What Wu Dacai said makes sense, but as you just said, sometimes the truth does not make sense. The emotions of the soldiers must be taken into account. There are no small things on the battlefield. What Jiang Guoyong said cannot be ignored.
"
The general of the baggage department said, "If we pay one tael per day instead, then the soldiers in the camp will have to wait for the money in the future. If they don't pay, their morale will be lowered. If you continue to pay, the rules in the army will be messed up. Let's move out to collect money and settle down."
I won’t give you any silver.”
Several people were a little embarrassed. At this time, the dock man said cautiously, "I have an idea. Let's say that there are righteous merchants who donate. Thank you for defending the city. Everyone who fights will have a share. In the future, there will be no righteous merchants in the war. Naturally,
There is no silver for a single shot. If the soldiers want to blame, just blame Yishang, but you adults cannot be blamed."
"Let's put it this way." Pang Yu clapped his hands and looked at the dock, "With Mr. Lauro, we must recruit enough manpower before midnight."
The dock man patted his chest boldly, "I have been in business for many years, and I pay attention to the word "righteousness", which is wrapped up in the villain!"
…
"Protect the family and serve the country, clean up and settle down every day!"
Outside the Chenghuang Temple at night, Mr. Luo from the dock held a wooden trumpet and walked along the roadside in Tongcheng Station while shouting, "General Pang, the deputy commander of the Anqing Qi Army Battalion, ordered that all social soldiers who go into battle, no matter where they are.
According to the place of origin, one tael of silver per day is given to the common people who work hard, three taels of silver per day, to protect the family and the country, and to clear the country every day! Those who drive away the slaves and go to battle will receive another 10 taels, and those who work hard will receive another 3 taels. Those who died in the war will receive
The Anqing camp will give fifty taels of pension, and the injured will be given thirty taels at a time! Spending other people's money to protect your own wealth and life is a good deal! Protect your family and serve the country, and you will be settled every day!"
The Chenghuang Temple was already bustling with people. Wu Dacai was sitting behind a table placed in the open air. There was a silver box next to it, which was filled with silver bullion, shining in the firelight.
Crowds of people gathered around the table, and the policemen who were maintaining order were overwhelmed and staggered.
Ng Tak Choi was sweating profusely and said loudly to the person in front of him, "Madam, you are already seventy and are no longer fit to go into battle to kill the Tatars."
The aunt tilted her head and said angrily, "Why is it that Mu Guiying is still killing Tatars when she is only seventy? Why don't you let her earn the money when she is eighty?"
"Even if you are eighty years old, you should follow the rules of the camp. You can go to Sewing Fire Thunder. You can also cook rice and boil water. You still have three coins of silver. If you recruit her, she will be gone. Someone will take her there quickly. The next one
...Auntie, please stop killing Tatars when you are pregnant."
"What happened to my pregnancy? When I gave birth to my first child, I was still digging in the ground. The baby was born directly in the ground. After the baby was born, I continued digging before going home. Killing Tatars is harder than farming. I have been practicing martial arts since I was a child.
I'll beat all the brothers in my husband's family one by one. They dare to compete with me for land. I can tell you how many Tatars you kill."
"The Tatars are more ferocious than your husband's brothers. Take them to Xiuhuolei. Next... Sir, please take your crutches away. If your legs and feet are not good, don't join in the fun. This is to kill the Tatars, not to go to the market."
, find a place to lie down and rest, don’t block me from doing things,”
The old man on crutches walked directly to the basket of silver, and was taken away by two soldiers.
The outer courtyard was boiling, and the sound spread into the military hospital in the inner courtyard. Doctor Shen, who had just finished his work, heard the noise and came to the door of the hospital to see the situation outside. He breathed a sigh of relief and said, "There are so many righteous people.