After more than half a month, the two armies defeated most of the enemy troops. The remaining ones who were not killed were frightened. Some ran to find the only remaining main force, but more of them were
Run to the west.
Because the west is their own country, and if they run there, they can not only survive, but also get food to eat.
After fighting for more than half a month and wiping out the surrounding enemy forces, Zhao Long and Xie Xing also arrived at the final enemy location.
The largest city in the west of Qinchuan.
Mangya City.
Mangya City is located in a plateau basin in western Qinchuan. It is a rare flat land on the western Qinchuan plateau.
The city is located in the center of the basin bottom. Outside the basin floor are the endless barren mountains and deserts. It can be regarded as an isolated city.
The geographical location of Mangya City is quite good and suitable for human survival. There are two large lakes in the northwest and southeast outside the city, which provide fresh water resources for the city.
In addition, there are large areas of salt fields and salt ponds outside the city, which have become the economic pillar supporting Mangya City. A large amount of green salt is transported to the Central Plains every year.
Of course, salt is a national specialty, and the common people and landowners here have their own pastures to graze for a living.
And, secretly mining private salt.
Before the enemy troops arrived, the lord of Mangya City ordered the ranchers to drive all their cattle, sheep and horses into the city. Although the city would become overcrowded and smelly, it was better than leaving it outside and being trapped.
The enemy troops were slaughtered and eaten.
Outside the city, hundreds of thousands of troops surrounded Mangya City. They attacked the city during the day and starved to sleep at night.
The defenders in the city guard the city during the day and eat and sleep at night.
After all, there were so many cattle and sheep and there was not much fodder to feed them. If they died of starvation, they would die of starvation. It would be better to slaughter them and feed them to the soldiers so that they could have the strength to defend the city.
The Western Region Allied Forces outside the city seemed to know that they were destined to be unable to break the city, so they only pretended to attack the city every day.
Both sides just wasted it.
People outside the city control the water resources of the lake, and people in the city have food, beef and mutton.
The two sides wasted their time in this way to see who would die of thirst first in the city or starve to death outside the city.
Even if there were wells in the city, it would be difficult to provide drinking water for so many residents, cattle and sheep in the city.
On weekdays, just for people to drink, they have to bring water from outside the city, not to mention that there are so many cattle and sheep in the city now.
The people in the city were so thirsty that they smoked.
People outside the city were so hungry that they had stomach acid.
The two sides just kept wasting away, waiting for someone to come over and end this war of attrition.
It's autumn now, and the ultraviolet light on the plateau is strong. Coupled with the local drought and lack of rain, the temperature is still very high.
On the northern city wall, the county guard fan band led soldiers and stood ready.
There are only 20,000 soldiers and horses in Mangya City. Because it is the gateway to the border, there are more soldiers and horses. Together with the soldiers and horses who withdrew from the surrounding fortresses after defeating the battle, they can barely make up the number of 20,000.
The siege battles these days have resulted in a lot of losses in soldiers and horses. Only more than 10,000 soldiers and horses are left, and they are all pulled up to the city wall, barely able to completely defend it.
Fan Kuan, the county governor, took the lead. Every day in the battle to defend the city, he personally held a bow and arrows and fired arrows at the bottom of the city to kill the enemy troops.
Originally, he was just a county guard who rose to power through connections, but because of his bad conduct, he was impeached and transferred to this remote and wild place to be the county guard.
Even though he got here, he still didn't change his nature of taking bribes and having fun, which led to
However, when the enemy troops arrived, Fan Kuan changed his previous lazy style. He first took out all the weapons in the treasury to replenish military supplies, and then recruited young men from the common people to form a militia to help with defense.
The army here has regained its combat effectiveness.
Moreover, he also distributed all the money he had embezzled over the years to the soldiers and militiamen guarding the city, and used part of it to buy food from the people. There was no robbery at all, it was all bought with money.
To ensure food and drink for the soldiers.
His style of work made the soldiers look up to him with admiration. In addition, Fan Kuan, who was leading the army, suffered two arrow wounds on his body and refused to leave the city wall. He vowed to live and die with the soldiers.
Someone asked him why he did this.
He said that it was wrong for him to take bribes and embezzlement, but he would not force the people to death. If the enemy invaded, the people would really have no way to survive.
He said that no matter how bad he was, he was still from Dachuan, and the mountains and rivers of Dachuan could never fall into the hands of the enemy.
He said that if he wanted to surrender, he would ask the soldiers to chop off his head first and make a written statement.
He said that he could die but the city could not be lost.
He said, seal the city gates and fight to the death.
Inspired by him, the prefect also used part of his own money, plus money from the treasury, to buy cattle and sheep from ranchers and slaughter them for the soldiers.
They did not take advantage of the opportunity to levy violently and plunder the people's food, grass, money and labor, but adopted a more tolerant attitude.
The two eldest men have done this, so they can't use their bows to kill people, but they can also help lift rocks and wood, carry supplies, and help with cooking.
Those ranchers are also very smart about selling their cattle and sheep at low prices. They say that as long as they keep enough breeding cattle and sheep, they can restore the industry in the coming year, and they will slaughter and eat the rest.
Under the united efforts of the soldiers and civilians in Mangya City, the hundreds of thousands of troops outside could not even set foot on the city wall!
Fan Kuan faced the bright sun and stared at the enemy troops below...
He was originally pampered and kept fair and plump, but for more than a month, he was suddenly tanned black by strong ultraviolet rays.
I also lost a lot of weight.
One advantage is that he can wear armor that he couldn't wear before.
The enemy troops under the city began to leave camp again, carrying ladders and preparing to attack the city.
Although it is unlikely that the enemy troops will attack, I still feel oppressive every time I see the densely packed enemy troops.
Fan Kuan, who had a dry mouth, swallowed hard and touched the kettle on his waist, but did not pick it up after all.
"Lao Fan, Lao Fan."
Hearing the voice coming from behind him, Fan Kuan turned around and saw that the prefect was coming.
Fan Kuan showed a rare smile and said,
"Hey, I don't know how come you're such a rare visitor. Why did you come to the city wall today?"
"Hey, look what you said, I'm not worried about the war situation and want to come over and help."
"Your Majesty, the prefect, just sit at home and don't cause trouble. That would be the greatest help."
"Yes, I don't like hearing what you are saying. If the enemy army attacks the city, I can kill two enemy soldiers even if I jump from the top of the city with more than 200 kilograms."
The prefect patted his big belly, took out a gourd from behind and handed it over.
"Here, moisten your throat."
Fan Kuan took the gourd and sighed,
"The soldiers are also thirsty. It's better to save this little water and drink it."