A group of about thirty or fifty people were waiting in formation, all looking towards the distance. Some people's eyes were full of expectation, some people's eyes were filled with fear and uneasiness, and some people were indifferent and numb...
The leader of this group of people was Bai Shiyuan, the magistrate of Longtan Town.
At this moment, Bai Shiyuan was leaning on a wooden stick, with his back slightly arched, and a look of exhaustion on his face. Before this, he had had diarrhea and vomiting for several days in a row, which made him exhausted and without energy. He just wanted to welcome Yang Xiuqing's army. Standing helplessly, Bai Shiyuan stared at the official road ahead, thinking about how to deal with Yang Xiuqing. After all, Li Zhen had taken over the county seat before, but what he showed to the city officials was that he had submitted to Li Zhen.
If Yang Xiuqing is angry, what should he do?
Bai Shiyuan was extremely worried and thought hard, but there was no solution.
"Boom, boom,."
The sound of dull and fast footsteps came from the front, and what came into view was a dense black line, densely packed, like a dense forest. As the distance got closer, Bai Shiyuan saw clearly the army appearing in front, which was the army led by Yang Xiuqing. He looked at the galloping army and suddenly felt a sense of suffocation because there were too many people in front of him.
Yang Xiuqing came with his army and saw clearly the situation at the city gate.
There was no Qing army, only officers and soldiers.
Before Yang Xiuqing could speak, Hong Xuanjiao took the lead and said, "Your Majesty, the magistrate of Longtan Town is greeting us at the gate of the city, but there is no army from Li Zhen. Is there a conspiracy?"
Hong Xuanjiao subconsciously blamed Li Zhen, fearing that this was a trap set by Li Zhen.
Yang Xiuqing thought it was reasonable and ordered: "Jiang Mu, send someone to inquire about the situation."
"As commanded."
Jiang Mu stopped his horse and turned around to give orders. Soldiers immediately went to inquire about the news.
Yang Xiuqing stared at the city gate and said: "Send the order, the army stops advancing." He was very cautious, because before he had received and confirmed that Li Zhen had captured Longtan Town, but now he had no news of Li Zhen's departure, nor had he seen it. Li Zhen only saw the county magistrate of Longtan Town taking the initiative to greet him, and he was very suspicious in his heart.
Not long after, the soldiers who went to investigate the news came back and reported respectfully: "To the King of the East, Li Zhen stayed in the city for a day and has left Longtan Town."
"What."
Yang Xiuqing exclaimed with a look of astonishment on her face.
left.
Li Zhen actually left again.
Yang Xiuqing still didn't believe it, and said in a deep voice: "Jiang Mu, immediately lead two thousand soldiers into the city to inquire about the situation in the city. I am waiting for your news."
"As commanded."
Jiang Mu agreed without hesitation and immediately mobilized his soldiers to advance.
When Jiang Mu led his soldiers into the city gate, he ignored Bai Shiyuan who was saluting and went straight in. This made Bai Shiyuan who was standing at the city gate very embarrassed. After Jiang Mu's army entered the city, Bai Shiyuan found that Yang Xiuqing was not advancing outside the city. , he became even more uneasy. He thought about it carefully and chose to take the initiative to walk towards Yang Xiuqing.
Approaching the army, Bai Shiyuan was blocked by soldiers.
After a search, the soldiers determined that Bai Shiyuan did not have any weapons on him, and then allowed Bai Shiyuan to move forward. Bai Shiyuan came to Yang Xiuqing's side, lifted up his robe, knelt down, kowtowed and said, "Bai Shiyuan, the magistrate of Longtan Town, pays homage to the King of the East."
"Get up."
Yang Xiuqing waved her hands seriously, without any smile on her face.
This situation made Bai Shiyuan even more nervous.
Bai Shiyuan stood up tremblingly, lowering his head slightly, not daring to look directly at Yang Xiuqing. He didn't know if Yang Xiuqing was looking at him, but he felt like a light on his back, making him feel uncomfortable all over.
Yang Xiuqing asked: "You look tired and you are still leaning on a stick. What's going on?"
Bai Shiyuan immediately said: "Thank you, King Dong, for your concern."
After a pause, Bai Shiyuan continued: "Beizhi had a bad stomach a few days ago. He suffered from vomiting and diarrhea. Even after taking medicine, it didn't work. After a few days, he has recovered a little."
Yang Xiuqing sneered: "It's a coincidence that the timing of the bad stomach was exactly when Li Zhen was attacking Longtan Town."
Bai Shiyuan immediately knelt down again and said, "Your Majesty, I'm really sick of my humble position."
"Get up."
Yang Xiuqing changed the topic and asked: "Tell me about Li Zhen's situation."
Bai Shiyuan stood up again, leaning on a wooden stick, and said unhurriedly: "Report to King Dong that Li Zhen led an army to attack Longtan Town. After taking Longtan Town, he immediately killed all the officials and county government officials and arresters. He was under house arrest and stayed in the city for a day. Now Li Zhen left quickly. The official thinks that Li Zhen got the news that the prince and his army were coming, so he evacuated."
Bai Shiyuan was careless. He didn't say he surrendered, he just said he was under house arrest.
Yang Xiuqing didn't have the time to think about it and nodded slightly.
Immediately, Yang Xiuqing looked at Lars who was following behind and asked kindly: "Mr. Lars, Li Zhen has disappeared again. Could he have gone to Dongyang Town?"
Lars shook his head slightly and said: "Your Excellency Dong Wang, I don't think Li Zhen will go to Dongyang Town, because Dongyang Town, like Longtan Town, is an empty city. Even if Li Zhen takes it, it will be useless. I guess Li Zhen will not go to Dongyang Town." He must be hiding outside and concealed. The reason why Li Zhen deliberately captured Longtan Town and then left as quickly as possible was to stun the East King so that the East King could not understand Li Zhen's purpose. Moreover, Li Zhen might also want to We need to make King Dong tired of running around so that he can look for opportunities to take action."
"What's his purpose?"
Yang Xiuqing turned her eyes and asked immediately.
Lars spread his hands and said helplessly: "I don't know this. I need to think about it. However, I think it is best to stop quietly and not be affected by Li Zhen."
Yang Xiuqing said: "You are right and cannot be affected."
At this time, Jiang Mu had already come out.
He just took a rough look at the situation in the city and determined that Li Zhen's army could not hide, so he came out to report: "Your Majesty, there is no trace of Li Zhen in the city."
Yang Xiuqing nodded slightly, glanced at Bai Shiyuan again, and then ordered: "Go forward and follow me into the city."
"King Dong, wait a moment." Lars called.
Yang Xiuqing asked: "Mr. Lars, do you have any questions?"
Lars clasped his fists and said: "Your Excellency, King Dong, I want the thousand soldiers under my command to stay outside the city temporarily to avoid unnecessary conflicts caused by getting along with the army. Moreover, I can station my soldiers outside the city. Observe the movements around you, and even search for the movements of Li Zhen’s army, and don’t want to enter the city for the time being.”
When Jiang Mu heard this, he immediately laughed.
Yang Xiuqing pondered for a while, nodded and said: "If you ask hard, I will allow you to lead the soldiers to stay outside the city. I will make up for the food, weapons, etc. you want, and will not let your soldiers lack clothes." Less food." Yang Xiuqing also knew that there were conflicts between the two armies, so he agreed directly.
"Thank you, King Dong."
Lars bowed slightly and turned sideways to let Yang Xiucheng enter the city.
Yang Xiuqing immediately led the army into the city. Lars looked at the army that started to enter the city. The corners of his mouth turned up, and an intriguing smile appeared. The big white teeth exposed showed a cold feeling under the sunlight. .