On the top of the city, Liu Fangluo watched a black shadow from afar and came ashore a hundred steps away from the city. The black shadow quickly disappeared into the alleys of the houses along the river.
"The Xiao family's actions are quite quick!" Liu Fangluo snorted coldly.
"It's about your own interests, and of course the Xiao family is working very hard."
Yu Shouren walked forward with interest. Seeing that Liu Fangluo did not respond, he felt a little nervous and quickly whispered: "According to the general's order, it should be at the hour of the next day. There should be no problem!"
Liu Fangluo shook his head, "The news has been sent out, how can we change it again? It's just decided."[
In fact, according to Liu Fangluo's idea, it is best to offer the city tonight to avoid the nights and dreams. However, he needs to give the Sui army time to prepare, and he also needs time to arrange the deployment in the city.
At this time, Yu Shouren suggested again: "It is better to find an excuse on a rainy night in the city, such as my uncle's birthday, General Liu treats guests to dinner, invites some major Jiangling generals, and take the opportunity to discuss the righteousness.
What, what does the general think?"
Liu Fangluo thought about it carefully and immediately rejected the suggestion, "People's hearts are unpredictable. If the situation is not secret and they are harmed, we can only know this matter for both of us, and we are not allowed to let the third party know it again.
”
"I understand."
Liu Fangluo looked at the sky and saw a dark cloud floating from the south, covering the stars. He couldn't help but sigh, "The sky is about to change!"
.........
The next day, before dawn, a spring rain fell, and the entire Jingxiang land was shrouded in the fine spring rain. A thin layer of white mist floated on the river and the land. For the farmland, this is
The spring rain, which is more precious than oil and water, nourishes the growth of seedlings and makes farmers smile.
But for the Sui army that was sieging the city, this was not a good rain. The fine spring rain was getting heavier and heavier, making the land outside the city extremely muddy. Walking on the rotten soil was particularly difficult. In March every year,
There were several spring rains in the Jingxiang area, and it took nearly half a month to make people feel moldy.
Perhaps it was because the Sui army had not siege the city for a long time. Chapter 54: Offering the city on a rainy night, and the arrival of continuous spring rain made the siege extremely unfavorable, and the defenders on the city began to slack off.
Groups of soldiers sneaked into the homes of civilians in the city to drink and gamble, and sleep lazy. When Chai Shao came to inspect, they informed each other and rushed back to the city to patrol. Especially at night, there were shadows of defenders on the city.
Can't see it.
Not only the defenders, but most of the 50,000 civilians who were forced to flee, were fleeing, and they used various favors to stuff money and give gifts. The officers also turned a blind eye to pretend that they had not seen it.
After Li Xiaogong's reinforcements were ambushed and annihilated by the Sui army, the morale of the defenders of Jiangling City became increasingly sluggish. At the same time, more and more people realized that the general situation of Jingxiang was destined and Jiangling was destined. At this time, except for Chai Shao, leading him from Chang'an, he led him from Chang'an.
Except for the 20,000 troops that came, the remaining 40,000 soldiers from Jingxiang were asking for their own protection and leaving behind their own retreat.
The spring rain lasted for two days. On the afternoon of the third day, the rain not only did not stop, but became heavier. Some Guanzhong soldiers wearing straw raincoats and straw hats could not hold on anymore. The cold air brought by the spring rain penetrated into their bones and was frozen.
The soldiers shivered and went downstairs to find a place to shelter from the rain.
In a small winery near the East City Gate, there were crowds of Tang soldiers coming to drink. The soldiers drank and made a fuss, and the noise was loud and loud. At a small table in the corner of the winery, two tall and burly men sat at a small table in the corner of the winery.
The soldiers were Lu Zushang, who was demoted to an ordinary soldier, and Zhao Lan, who was demoted to the side.
Lu Zushang was not even a fire chief, and was sent to feed his horse. He was in a very low mood these two days. He spent every day in a wine shop and went back after getting drunk. Li Xiaogong's death hit him a big blow, which was his most respect.
However, the man died in Dangyang County, which made Lu Zushang feel extremely regretful.
Lu Zushang drank the wine glass by glass, and was already sixty or seventy percent drunk. He picked up the wine pot and poured himself another glass of wine. Zhao Lan grabbed his hand, "Okay, you can't drink it anymore."
"What else can I have to offer besides drinking?"
Lu Zushang broke free from his hand and filled his wine glass again. Zhao Lan picked up his wine glass and poured the wine directly on the ground. Lu Zushang glared at him, "You——"
Zhao Lan sighed, "Brother Lu, be more sober and listen to me!"[
Lu Zushang lowered his head and said nothing. Zhao Lan said again: "You and I know very well that the Sui army has been sieging the city for these two days. Why don't you remind the general to see what the military discipline is now broken?
Even if there are 100,000 troops, they cannot defend the city."
"That's his own fault. He listened to slander and deprived me of my official title, and let him bear the suffering by himself. What's the matter with me?" Lu Zushang said angrily, his anger in his heart.
"Since that's the case, why don't you surrender to the Sui army!"
'surrender?'
Lu Zushang narrowed his eyes, and after a while he shook his head, and said with great firm expression: "If Yang Yuanqing spared King Jing's life, I might surrender to him, but King Jing is dead, then use my righteousness to bury King Jing's life.
!”
Zhao Lan sighed for a while, "I don't want you to surrender to the Sui army, I just hope you will have a clear attitude, either surrender to the Sui army. If you are unwilling to surrender, then you will do your best to assist the general, rather than responding to the
If you continue to be decadent like this, you will get drunk all day long. This is not what a man does!"
Lu Zushang stared at the wine glass in his hand for a long time. He suddenly used force and with a "click", the wine glass was pinched into pieces.
.........
The night fell again, it was still cold, and the night rain was particularly cold. In the vast rain and fog, the rivers and fields in the distance had left their sight. The outside of the city was pitch black, and no objects could be seen within a dozen steps.
.
On the top of the city, thousands of Tang soldiers on duty were wearing straw raincoats and bamboo hats, curled up against the wall. Many of them were trembling with cold. Some secretly brought a small bottle of wine, and they drank in small sips to keep the cold while people were not paying attention.
Tonight, the general on duty in Nancheng was originally Fei Zhong, the general under Chai Shao, but Liu Fangluo exchanged tasks with him on the excuse that his father would celebrate his birthday tomorrow. Tonight, he turned into Liu Fangluo on duty in Nancheng.
Liu Fangluo stood on the top of the city, staring at the Jingshui in the distance, unable to see anything in the darkness. This was an excellent sneak attack weather, which was simply a deliberate arrangement of heaven. Liu Fangluo began to believe that the Sui army captured Jiangling.
The city is indeed God's will.
At this moment, a brigade commander rushed over and reported urgently: "Report to General, some soldiers found movement outside the city. Just near Jingshui, there seemed to be the neighing of war horses."
Liu Fangluo's heart was thrilled and said calmly: "This must be the scout of the Sui army who is investigating information. You and others should not act rashly. I will report to the general."
The brigade coach stepped down, and Liu Fangluo became nervous. The critical moment has come, but don’t have any problems. But the more you are worried, things will often come. A large group of soldiers suddenly appeared in the distance, coming up to the city.
Liu Fangluo recognized at a glance that the leader was Chai Shao, and he also came to inspect the city.
Liu Fangluo complained secretly in his heart. It was about to come in the hour of Hai, so why didn’t you come early or late? It was just that this critical moment came. His eyes rolled, and he had a solution in his heart, so he quickly walked up to him.
The weather was bad tonight and the eyesight was very weak. Although the night rain was heavy, it was also a good opportunity to attack the city. Chai Shao did not dare to be careless and went to the city to patrol in person.
Chai Shao wore a bamboo hat and a straw raincoat, riding on a high-headed horse. When he saw Liu Fangluo coming up, he asked, "General Liu, is there anything wrong?"
Liu Fangluo bowed immediately and said, "Report to the general, there is nothing abnormal in the south city, but Beizhi heard that there seems to be something abnormal in the north city. Beizhi was about to report to the general."
Chai Shao frowned. What was abnormal in Beicheng? He became worried and ordered his side, "Let's go to Beicheng to have a look!"
He explained to Liu Fangluo a few more words, turned his head and headed towards the north city. Liu Fangluo was relieved. It was less than a quarter of an hour away from Hai. The agreed time was about to come. His eyes looked out of the city again
go.
Outside Jiangling City, a fleet of more than 50 flat-bottomed ships was quietly approaching the Shuicheng Gate. On both sides of Jingshui, 20,000 Sui troops were already lined up, waiting for the moment to enter the city.[
One mile away from the southern city, 15,000 Sui cavalry prepared their troops, holding spears and swords, and were also waiting patiently.
Yang Yuanqing was riding on a war horse, located in the cavalry team, but his eyes were staring at the Water Gate a mile away. From the inside of the Water Gate, although it was dark outside, there was a torch inside the Water Gate itself, and you could clearly see the Water Gate in the distance.
situation.
Yang Yuanqing has been through many battles and no longer has the tension before the war. Regarding whether Liu Fangluo's response is successful, he will launch a siege tonight. In any case, he must take down Jiangling City tonight.
The fleet was slowly moving, with more than fifty flat-bottomed boats connected together by ropes, without the power of standing sails, and sailing against the current, all with the pulling of more than a hundred Sui soldiers on both sides of the strait. Xie Yingdeng wore a silver helmet and iron armor.
Holding a shield in his left hand and a spear in his right hand. He stood at the bow of the first ship, staring at the iron gate of the Water City City with sharp eyes.
When the ship was launched, they followed more than a dozen water ghosts. Their task was to identify abnormalities in the water and prevent tinder oil from flowing out of the city. When the fleet entered the city, they had to pull the main ship in the water to continue moving forward.
At this time, the appointment finally came. Yu Shouren issued an order to open the city on the top of the city. Dozens of confidant soldiers moved the winch, and the iron gates were moving. The two iron gates began to rise upward almost at the same time.
, and kept lifting one meter away from the water surface, and then stopped.
At this time, the city gate had already opened wide. Xie Yingdeng waved his hand and the ship slowly drove into the city gate. Soon, the first ship where Xie Yingdeng was located slowly sailed into the city. He held a shield spear in his hand and looked around vigilantly.
The city was very quiet, and all the defenders near Water Gate avoided it.
Xie Yingdeng jumped ashore, and dozens of soldiers behind him also went ashore. Everyone started to work together, putting the ship close to the shore, and wooden boards were placed between the front and back ships.
More than fifty flat-bottomed boats stretched seventy or eighty feet, leading from the city to the outside of the city, thus forming a simple water boat bridge. 20,000 Sui soldiers outside the city rushed to the city along the bridge.