The torches on top of the city were brightly lit, but there was no sound. Only the roar, carrying the power of wind and thunder, hit the city wall like a furious wave.
No fighting spirit at all.
Ordinary soldiers actually did not know the outcome of the Battle of Fulong Valley. Wang Yu arrived so quickly that even the powerful spies had to fight hard to get an afternoon, so the news had no time to spread.
But the county soldiers are all locals and are very familiar with the surrounding geography.
Although Tancheng is located in a plain, the Maling Mountain to the east is the remnant of Yimeng Mountain. Extending from Maling Mountain to the east and north, it is a continuous hilly area, which is not suitable for the passage of large armies, especially cavalry. So at the beginning
Wang Yu sent Zhang Zha to attack Langya and occupied Chengyang and Dongguan. The southern territory was already bordering the East China Sea, so it did not cause much reaction in Xuzhou.
Although the terrain in the west is flat, the journey around it is much longer. Wang Yu's cavalry came from the north, taking the most common and dangerous road. Looking at the Qingzhou cavalry's majestic appearance, why?
It doesn’t look like he just escaped from Zang Ba’s pursuit...
Therefore, although we don't know what exactly happened in Langya, the momentum of the ebb and flow is clear at a glance. The Taishan bandits either shrank or were defeated.
Originally, Xuzhou County soldiers did not have much enthusiasm for fighting against the Qingzhou Army. At this moment, it was like a storm sweeping in. The last bit of fighting spirit was extinguished like a candle in the wind, replaced by fear.
It's bone-chilling!
"Tao... Tao Shijun is seriously ill and cannot be a director, so how can he invite you? The Qing and Xu families have always been on the same side. In the past few years, General Wang, you have been in Hebei and boasted of your achievements in the Central Plains, but it was not without my father Xuzhou's money behind the scenes.
The power of food! Now Tao Shijun is seriously ill and cannot afford it. General Wang has invaded our territory for no reason. If word spreads, aren't you afraid that your fame will be lost in vain?"
Xu Fang was actually feeling scared, but if he didn't step up to the plate at this time, no one else could help him.
Although Chen Hanyu, that old fox, played a role in Zhang Kai's incident, it would be foolish to expect him to come forward and confront Wang Yu. What the father and son like most is to hide in the dark and do something.
It's so small, it's even more powerful!
Finally, his energy-raising skills were pretty good. After saying a few words, his stiff tongue began to recover and became more flexible. He said plausibly: "Tao Shijun always believed that generals are the pillars of the Han Dynasty. Therefore, when Xuzhou was in turmoil,
He still scrimped on food and clothing and delivered money and food to Qingzhou. Every time he heard about General Wang's success, he was so excited that he rushed to tell everyone. This can't be said to be dishonest..."
As he said that, he changed the subject and put on a sorrowful expression: "Who would have thought... Alas, people are not enough. They ignore kindness and kindness. The ancients used the name Zhongshan Wolf to ridicule it, but after reading the allusion, I still don't believe it.
But when I saw it today, I felt that... people's hearts are not as old as they used to be, and my way is lonely!"
While sighing, he put a big hat on Wang Yu's head. Hearing this, the defenders at the top of the city began to become suspicious. The hand holding the weapon tightened unconsciously.
Zhuge Liang in the city was also angry when he heard this, and when he raised his head, he was about to retort.
If Wang Yu really wanted to seize Xuzhou, he would have a good chance. With the strength of the Qingzhou Army, if he had not gone to Hebei to help in the war, and took advantage of Gongsun Zan to contain Yuan Shao and the civil strife in Xuzhou, and went south in a large scale, who could stop him?
To be honest, with the chaos in Xuzhou now, how much benefit can the Qingzhou Army gain from going south? Xu Fang's words sound heart-wrenching, but the rebuttal couldn't be simpler, just like the one holding a dead mouse in the fable,
I am very worried about Kunpeng soaring in the nine heavens, and I am afraid that the other party will come and snatch it away as ridiculous as an owl.
Zhuge Liang's retort could not be uttered because he was stopped by Zhao Yun, who made a silencing gesture to him and then pointed at Wang Yu.
"Who are you?" Of course Wang Yu could hear the implication of Xu Fang's words, but he did not defend himself and just raised his voice to ask.
"Changshi Xu Fang." Xu Fang knew that he couldn't hide it, and there was no need to hide it, so he answered calmly.
Wang Yu nodded and put a hat back on his back: "So, when Mr. Tao was seriously ill, he gathered a crowd to conspire and plot evil, and you were the leader?"
"Nonsense... nonsense!" Xu Fang felt caught off guard.
According to his opinion, for the sake of reputation, Wang Yu should explain the reason for going south to clear his name and shake the morale of the troops in the city. However, when Tao Qian invited Wang Yu to go south, he did not send an envoy to write a letter, but just asked Zhang Ning to bring a message.
, the insiders in Xuzhou are just a few people including himself, Xiao Jian, and Cao Hong. Wang Yu has no way to prove it at all.
When the verbal lawsuit started, the Qingzhou Army's momentum of victory was gone. Even if Wang Yu and the staff he brought with him were eloquent and unparalleled in their arguments, they only needed to ensure that no one would open the city gate to respond.
If he wins, even if Zhang Yi and Su Qin are resurrected, how can they do anything to him?
Who would have thought that Wang Yu not only likes to make surprise attacks in battles, but also has the effect of attacking others unprepared by talking and answering questions.
"You said it yourself, the Qingxu family is in the same spirit, and I have a long-standing reputation. I am not a villain who takes advantage of others' danger. In this case, why do you have to act like you are facing a powerful enemy? I, general.
There are only five hundred light cavalry guards around you, the army has not crossed the border, and there are thousands of troops in the city, but you are worried that I will enter the city to meet Mr. Tao. Isn't this a guilty conscience?"
Knowing what had happened in Xiapi, Wang Yu had already been fully mentally prepared for the obstacles he would encounter during his trip.
Xuzhou, no, it should be said that all the powerful people in the world have no good impressions of the Qingzhou New Deal that emphasizes fairness. Just like laws and regulations such as property disclosure have been clamoring for a long time in later generations, but have been unable to be implemented, the privileged class has no desire to eliminate them.
The law on privileges is bound to be contradictory.
The pacification of Qingzhou did not encounter such obstacles, because the powerful people in Qingzhou died and fled. Even those who were lucky enough to survive, most of them experienced the suffering of wives and children, and the destruction of their families, and they no longer have the arrogance of the past. Today
Guan Ning, a famous scholar who taught in the academy, fell into this category.
Speaking of which, Guan Ning and Guan Hai also fought many lawsuits because of this. It was Guan Hai's bandits who broke into Zhuxu City, and Guan Hai himself also kidnapped Guan Ning's daughter. After they both returned to Wang Yu's command,
Naturally, Guan Ning didn't have a good look on Guan Hai. Fortunately, in the end, the enemies became relatives, and Guan Hai, the bandit, became Guan Ning's son-in-law. Wang Yu also opened his eyes.
This matter is off topic, but in the process of implementing the New Deal in Qingzhou, Wang Yu encountered the most serious troubles. It is not an exaggeration to say that it was smooth sailing.
Jizhou is a little more troublesome, but it’s not too much of a problem.
The most determined die-hards were either killed in the war, or they fled south with their families after the Gaotang War was decided. Although the remaining powerful people did not like the Qingzhou New Deal, for the sake of their wealth and life, they gave in half-heartedly.
Accepted.
Until now, many people, like Zhuge Liang, feel that Qingzhou's system is not bad. What the Qingzhou New Deal mainly weakens is the powerful families and ordinary powerful people who are powerful enough to influence the political affairs of counties, counties, and even a state.
Didn't suffer much impact.
As Zhuge Liang once said, most of the so-called tycoons are actually ordinary families. Through the hard work and accumulation of several generations, the family has prospered. If Wang Yu treats all the tycoons equally regardless of their reasons, he will definitely fall into the world in the end.
A situation where everyone is an enemy.
Even those who benefit from the New Deal will actually embark on the path of becoming powerful. After all, people work hard to live a better life.
Therefore, the Qingzhou New Deal's strategy against the powerful has been constantly adjusting. In time, the world's knowledgeable people will still be able to tell the difference. This is also one of the main purposes of recuperating after the war.
However, no matter how you adjust it, you will always create some powerful enemies. For example, Xu Fang, who was shouting and shouting on the top of the city. Or Chen Gui and his son.
The former's family fortune is all in the East China Sea. In the past, even a wealthy family like the Mi family and a local leader had to rely on him and watch his face and do things to stay safe. This shows how huge his power is.
The latter rarely shows off, and looks completely harmless on the surface, but in fact, the Guangling Chen family is the local emperor, and it is not an exaggeration to say that they follow the rules.
It is easy to subdue the Chen family and his son. As long as the status and interests of the Chen family in Guangling are guaranteed, the Chen family's allegiance will be obtained. Of course, this kind of allegiance is limited, because many people can make similar promises and play both sides.
Growing in the gaps is the special skill of these centuries-old families.
Therefore, Wang Yu did not have high expectations for Xuzhou from the beginning, but resolutely went north to compete with Yuan Shao, who was many times more powerful. He knew very well that if he really took control of Xuzhou, he would probably fall into the situation of Lu Bu and Liu Bei in history.
The predicament was finally manipulated by these local powerful people, and finally collapsed under internal and external troubles.
He had already anticipated Xu Fang's appearance, and did not engage in any verbal entanglement with him, and directly responded with tit for tat.
"If you don't feel guilty, why don't you open the door?" Zhuge Liang grasped the right opportunity this time. As soon as Wang Yu finished speaking, he immediately followed up and took the lead in shouting.
"If you don't feel guilty, why don't you open the door? If you don't feel guilty..." the five hundred cavalry asked in unison, their momentum not diminishing but increasing. In the slightly cold spring night, Xu Fang was sweating profusely.
He was a little panicked, and began to regret it. He felt that he should not have taken the initiative to answer questions at all. Now he was stealing the chicken and losing the rice.
It is difficult to refute the other party's questions because the logic is too simple. To refute questions with simple logic, you have to use the same method. But Wang Yu has the upper hand, and it is very difficult for Xu Fang to fight back.
Why do you have 5,000 soldiers, but don't dare to let 500 people from outside enter the city? Nonsense, you don't dare! There are more than 5,000 Taishan bandits, and their fighting power is much stronger than that of the county soldiers. They haven't even stirred up the trouble.
, were wiped out without a trace? They didn't even achieve the minimum goal of delaying Wang Yu's trip...
But can this be said openly and honestly?
"Let you be arrogant for a while. I will only keep the door closed. I want to see how you fly into the city." Having no way to refute, he simply gave up. Xu Fang stopped talking and allowed the morale of the Qingzhou army to rise and the fighting spirit of the defenders to fall.
He just gritted his teeth and whispered harshly.
He made adjustments again and gathered all his private soldiers near the city gate to guard them tightly. As long as the city gate could not be opened, it would not be a worry even if someone wavered.
The city fell into silence. The Qingzhou Army questioned them several times and stopped. Zhuge Liang said with a worried look on his face: "This is not the way to go. Our army cannot enter the city. The longer we delay, the more dangerous it will be."
Zhang Jaw's eight thousand soldiers and horses were scattered in several directions. The only ones who could follow up in time were the two thousand men from the first battalion stationed in Dong'an. Xu Huang's troops stationed in Feixian were purely in response.
In other words, in the short term, there are only three thousand Qingzhou Army who can enter the East China Sea. And since Xu Fang dares to stand up, it means that Cao Bao has made the final decision. If the war starts in the Tancheng area, it will be very detrimental to the Qingzhou Army.
of.
There was such a big noise here at the north gate, but there was no movement in the city. It was obvious that Tao Qian was powerless. The momentum could frighten the enemy, but it could not open the city gate. Unless Wang Yu had some backup plans, this trip
...and can only end in failure.
"Kong Ming, sometimes you think about problems too complicated." Looking at the worry on Zhuge Liang's face, Wang Yu looked at the worry on Zhuge Liang's face and smiled casually: "You must think that I should prepare a plan in advance.
Isn’t it safer to prepare the gate and wait for the follow-up troops to arrive before heading south?"
Zhuge Liang nodded, then shook his head. He nodded because Wang Yu hit the mark, and shook his head because he didn't quite understand what Wang Yu meant.
"Actually, many problems are sometimes very simple." Wang Yu smiled and turned his attention to Tancheng again. Looking at the towering figure of the city under the dusk, he said leisurely: "Tao Gong asked me to come, so I came.
, since he invited me here, he would not even open the door, because he is Tao Gongzu!"
As if to be a footnote to Wang Yu's words, as soon as he finished speaking, a sudden change occurred in the city! (To be continued...)