Chapter 521 Some people want to fight, some people want to show bad
There were many arrows shot at the top of the city, but none of them hit the women.
The flags and banners on the city walls could be shot down, and more than a dozen of the defenders who were hiding behind the battlements to avoid arrows were shot to death. As a result, not a single woman, who did not know how to avoid arrows and was scolded not to run away, was hit by arrows.
Liu Xiang laughed angrily.
Is this the time for these old perverts to show mercy to their loved ones?
He didn't want to massacre the women who were forced to climb the city. Now he ordered people to shoot arrows, which was actually saving them.
The purpose of shooting arrows when observing the city is to tell the city guard that regardless of whether it is a honey trap or a delaying strategy, he will not accept this trick. He should give up this evil idea as soon as possible and fight with real swords and guns.
Shoot a few now to prevent these poor people from becoming cannon fodder. Otherwise, when the army attacks the city, they will only die more.
The more unwilling to take action at this time, the more the enemy general will think that the strategy is effective, the more women will be forced to go to the city, and the greater the casualties of those innocent women will be in the final attack.
Being soft-hearted and kind may not bring good results.
It's a pity that the knights accompanying him didn't understand this truth.
Liu Xiang did not blame them. Any man with conscience and backbone would not be willing to take action against women and children. Since the establishment of the Anping Army, it has always emphasized the need to care for the people. Over the past eleven years, it has already formed a habit that his orders follow theirs.
If your moral values are in conflict, it is inevitable that you will have some entanglements.
This is human nature and he can understand it.
But what needs to be done still needs to be done.
He drove the red tug to start, ran in an arc, and galloped past the city. He stabilized the bow arm with his left hand and gently relaxed the bow string with his right finger. The bow of the precious eagle rang, the arrows shot out, and there was a cry. The woman who was hit by the arrow was killed immediately.
In the Han Dynasty, when medical conditions were underdeveloped, shooting people was equivalent to sending them to death in a piecemeal manner. The torture of wound infection was extremely painful, so it was better to give people a happy life.
The garrison of Shu County could force these poor people to go to the city, but even if they didn't care about their lives, they couldn't prepare any skilled doctors for them.
War is inhumane, no matter what name it is launched in, no matter whether it is just or not.
The emperor fired in person, and the knights accompanying him would naturally follow. This wave of arrows was thrown onto the city. Five or six women fell to the ground in response, and a dozen more defenders who fired back were hit by arrows.
The two armies exchanged a wave of arrows again. A few arrow shafts were hung on the armors of the accompanying knights. At most, they scratched some flesh. The horses retreated out of the shooting range and took them off casually. It was nothing serious.
hinder.
The archery skills and equipment are all superior, and the defenders on the city can be killed by just a few more shots.
The woman who was forced to the top of the city suffered casualties and lost control of her emotions. After all, she had never been on the battlefield and had not received corresponding training. Fear was her instinct.
On the west wall where Liu Xiang was, women screamed in terror one after another. The defenders were also greatly affected, their morale was low, and the city defense was about to collapse.
"Withdraw, he is indeed ruthless." The Shuxian county lieutenant thought his clever plan did not work, so he had no choice but to order people to change defenses: "Let the young men go to the city and defend the city until reinforcements arrive."
"There are only about 20,000 young men in the city, and the emperor is personally marching on the expedition. Those Guizhou leaders have no intention of resisting, and I'm afraid they won't be able to hold on." The thief Cao of Shu County had no confidence in his heart, and what he said was that he wanted to surrender.
"Shut up! How can you be cowardly before fighting, disrupting the morale of our army, and not going down to prepare for war?" The county captain was very angry, but he did not punish him. The county magistrate, the county magistrate and many people from the wealthy families had already fled the city, leaving only
He and the thief Cao were sent to guard the city. After punishing this man, no one would help him.
"only."
The thief Cao retreated in response, but he kept slandering in his heart. How can there be an army with such a messed up military morale? Hundreds of thief Cao's servants and the knights in the city who have been recruited, can this be called an army?
But he didn't dare to refute what his immediate superior said, so he could only arrange for people to go to town with great trepidation.
How could the Shuxian county captain not know the mentality of his subordinates? Not many people in the city were willing to resist. His family was a local power and the emperor did not like it, otherwise he would have surrendered long ago.
"Amon, why don't you go south with your family? Stay here with me to delay the imperial army, for fear of losing your life, how can you be so confused? You are only sixteen, and you are in your prime years. Don't risk your life in vain."
"Brother-in-law, I'll stay to protect you!" A young man named Amon had received many favors from his brother-in-law in the past and did not want him to die in battle.
"The imperial army is armed with sharp armor. This battle is extremely dangerous. Don't take part in it. The people of the tribe are too slow to move. We have to buy time for them to cross the river. I, Deng, am a seven-foot man. I can't hold the land or protect my home. I am really incompetent!"
Meng, you will go out of the city tonight, catch up with the clansmen, and fulfill your filial piety on my behalf."
Deng Dang was already determined to die and only hoped that his brother-in-law, Lu Meng, could replace him and support the family.
"Why is my brother-in-law so depressed? Didn't you say that Lei Xu and Chen Lan have agreed to lead troops to help?"
Deng Dang shook his head and smiled bitterly: "Although there are many Lei Xu tribes, they are all tenants of his family. Those Guizhou leaders are looking forward to the emperor coming to fight and divide the fields for them. How can they fight bravely? It would be good if they don't defect before the battle.
Chen Lan had previously fought against Liu Taishou and lost all his soldiers. Now his men are all bandits and bandits who have been roped in, so how can they have any fighting strength? Inviting them to help is just to distract the emperor's attention and delay time. It is really difficult to win. "
Deng Dang analyzed the current situation and patted his brother-in-law on the shoulder: "Go prepare your luggage and leave tonight! I'm going to borrow troops from the Zhou family and I can't take care of you. Be obedient and don't be stubborn."
"I will live and die with my brother-in-law!" Lu Meng frowned, unwilling to live alone.
"Amon, you are not young now, and you can think clearly about many things. I have no brothers to help me. After my death, my family may be bullied. You have to go back, help me fulfill my filial piety, and support the family on my behalf.
Don’t act out of emotion!”
With tears streaming down his face, Lü Meng bid farewell to Deng Dang and went to prepare food, water, clothing, weapons and other supplies to fight out of the city at night.
Deng Dang sighed, he will die, his family will lose his support, and the future will not be easy, but his people will continue to multiply and grow, and the Lujiang Deng family will eventually be passed down.
He gritted his teeth, cheered up, and walked towards the Zhou family's mansion.
In Shu County, the Zhou family is the most influential family. Their family does not have the most money, industry, or tribe, but the Zhou family is the top family in Yangzhou.
Previously, two generations had served as Taiwei of the Han Dynasty. Although the current head of the family was young, the reputation of Mei Zhoulang was resounding throughout Jiangdong. He was the leader of the younger generation in Yangzhou, and no one dared to despise him.
If Deng Dang wants to defend Shu County, he must get the support of the Zhou family, and it is best to borrow their private army in the city.
There was no difficulty when I came to the door, and I successfully met Zhou Yu in the main hall.
"If Lieutenant Deng has some free time, I would like to prepare a banquet for you and me to enjoy singing and dancing and have fun. If you are busy with official duties, I dare not disturb you." Zhou Yu didn't want to talk about business with him, but also hoped that he would be sensible and not disturb his own family.
peaceful.
"Gong Jin knows that the imperial court..."
Before Deng Dang finished speaking, he was interrupted by Zhou Yu. He stretched out his hand and said loudly: "Since Lieutenant Deng is busy with official duties, I won't have any guests. Please!"
Deng Dang ignored his politeness and shouted loudly: "Why is Gong Jin like this? Aren't you afraid that the city of Shu County will be destroyed and all the jade and stone will be destroyed?"