Taishan County is not far from Mount Tai, it can be said to be very close.
Zang Ba had just settled everything after returning to the mountains, when someone close to him came to report that Liu Bei's messenger had arrived.
Zang Ba was suddenly confused.
We were separated for only half a day, why did a messenger arrive? What happened?
When Liu Bei's messenger came in, he opened Liu Bei's letter and read it.
Zang Ba understood immediately.
Zang Ba was very excited about Liu Bei's arrangement.
This guy didn't have a good impression of the powerful landowners in his heart, so Zang Ba would be happy to see it happen if he could make them bleed.
However, Zang Ba did not immediately send out troops to fight.
After all, he had just returned, and sending troops now would definitely be filled with complaints.
Therefore, it was not until the second day that Zang Ba ordered his troops and horses and went straight to Taishan County.
Previously, Zang Ba also attacked Taishan County, but he did not capture it because of the presence of Yu Jin and Bao Xin.
This time, Zang Ba made a gesture of not giving up until he took the county seat, and directly pulled out 50,000 troops to besiege Taishan County City.
Most of these 50,000 people are young and strong, and the old, weak, women and children are all left in Mount Tai.
Although most of these people were untrained, the momentum of fifty thousand people was overwhelming.
Bao Xin and Yu Jin were both well-versed in military affairs. When Zang Ba reached Mount Tai, they received the news from the scouts.
In the county magistrate's house, all three people looked grave.
"It seems that Zang Ba really wants to capture the county this time. There are 50,000 soldiers and horses, all young and strong, and they are more powerful than in the previous battles. Can Captain Bao and Wen Ze be sure to defend the county?
"
Bao Xin looked at Yu Jin. The previous defenses of the city were basically based on Yu Jin.
At this time, it is natural to look at Yu Jin.
Yu Jin has always been a resolute and steady person, and he never speaks loudly.
He thought for a while and said: "This time Zang Ba is different from the past. He does not take the old, weak, sick and disabled, but only the young and strong. In addition to his 3,000 Xuanwu soldiers, it may be difficult to defend the county. It may require the efforts of the powerful people in the city.
.”
Taishan County did not have many troops at this time. There were 3,000 county soldiers, and including Bao Xin's 1,000 troops, it was only 4,000.
When Zang Ba attacked the county town before, he also suffered some losses, but they were all made up by Zhuge Gui and Bao Xin.
It's not that they don't want to mobilize more troops, it's because the powerful people in the county don't support it.
These powerful people only care about the interests of their own families. If it is not really that the county is about to be unable to survive, they will definitely not contribute.
At most, it's just a show of taking out some food.
Their purpose of doing this is very clear, which is to grab more benefits from the government at the critical moment.
Such as land, population, official positions, etc.
In fact, among the three people present, Bao Xin was considered the most powerful.
Although Zhuge Gui came from an extraordinary family, the Zhuge family learned Legalist techniques from their ancestor Zhuge Feng, and of course they were also Confucianists on the surface.
Their family does not have much property, so it is inevitable that they will have enough food and clothing, but it is nonsense to say how much land they have and how many private soldiers they can produce.
In a word, the Zhuge family's family background is shallow.
Moreover, the Zhuge family's hometown is in Langya County, not Taishan County.
Therefore, among the three, only Bao Xin has the strength to pull out one or two thousand troops.
But Bao Xin has already contributed a thousand soldiers and horses. If he is asked to contribute again, the family will not be able to pass the test.
Zhuge Gui sighed and said to Bao Xin: "Captain Bao, you still need to deal with the powerful people. Let them provide more money, food, troops and horses. I don't think they want to see the county city being breached."
Bar."
Bao Xin nodded: "Don't worry, the county. I will be there to deal with the powerful ones. But you also know the nature of these people. If there is no benefit, I'm afraid they won't definitely do it."
Zhuge Gui, who had always been gentle, showed a hint of sharpness at this time: "Just say that I agree to their conditions. However, if they push further, don't blame me, Zhuge Gui, for being ungrateful. The county magistrate of Pojia, the magistrate of Miemen, Yin and the others will not
Never heard of it."
Zhuge Gui's words were murderous and chilling.
Bao suddenly felt confident.
Good guy, I've always heard that the Zhuge family's family education has the essence of Legalism. I used to think it was a rumor, but now it seems that it's probably true.
Bao Xin no longer dared to look down upon this county magistrate who usually seemed gentle and gentle. This guy might really dare to lead the county soldiers to do some extreme things.
By that time, it will be really difficult to deal with.
Although the Zhuge family doesn't think much of buying property, their connections are not something that can be built on.
The ancestor Zhuge Feng was a Sili school captain in the Western Han Dynasty, and it has been passed down to this day for two or three hundred years. Over such a long time, a large network of disciples, former officials, and in-laws has been formed.
Even if Zhuge Gui led his troops to kill a few small powerful men, with this network, it would probably be nothing in the end.
Therefore, Bao Xin no longer dared to neglect, and was ready to contact those powerful people and ask them to help at least to defend the county.
Yu Jin spoke again at this time: "Zhuge Commandery City, Captain Bao, we still have someone we can borrow at this time."
After hearing this, the two of them looked at Yu Jin.
Yu Jin nodded: "Liu Xuande's three thousand troops are just outside the city."
The two of them suddenly realized that they were only thinking about the military strength in the city and did not think about Liu Xuande for a while.
"Liu Xuande defeated the Yellow Turban army of 50,000 with 1,500 men, and he was still fighting in the field. It can be seen that he is very brave. If he helps, he can definitely keep the city safe."
Bao Xin hesitated: "Jun Cheng, we just refused to provide him with food and grass. Will he be willing to help us defend the city?"
Zhuge Gui thought for a moment: "I think Liu Xuande is a man who is devoted to the country and has a kind heart. In this critical moment, he will definitely take action."
Although Zhuge Gui was very sure, Bao Xin felt that it was still not safe.
If his front foot is rejected by others, his back foot will be pulled over to defend the city, and he will definitely refuse.
However, it's not impossible.
Doesn’t Liu Xuande want food and grass?
OK, then give it to him.
If you pay twice, you will always be satisfied.
As for where the food and grass come from, the county is powerful.
Originally, Bao Xin was a little worried about how to persuade them to send troops and food, but now it's fine, all he needs to do is provide food.
I think the powerful people in the county would definitely be willing to come.
These three people have no doubt at all that Zang Ba was recruited by Liu Bei.
Because, in the previous conversation, they already knew that Liu Bei had fought with Zang Ba, and the battle was very fierce.
In addition, Liu Bei is a clan member of the Han Dynasty. How could such a person be related to the Yellow Turbans? Isn't this a joke?
But they never expected that Liu Bei would have transformed under Chen Yuan's brainwashing.