There is always a gap between the so-called ideal and the reality. Whether it's big or small.

Just like now. Zhang Fan is not deaf or blind. Of course, he could see the man on horseback hurrying into the city. He knew in his heart that something big must have happened to make this happen. Because there is no time to report once in half an hour. That means that something must have happened in Suzhou. And even if Wang Meng on the side said this possibility. But Zhang Fan still didn't want to believe and hear the news until the last moment.

I knew that the man hurried up from below to the tower. Zhang Fan can be sure. The last thing I wanted to hear happened.

"Your Excellency." The person who came hurriedly greeted Zhang Fan with a fist. Said. "A few lowly men were ordered to monitor the Fusang army outside Suzhou. Now they're moving. Just before the humiliation returns. The Fusang generals who led the army inside had already ordered the Fusang soldiers in the city to regroup. It's ready to go. When it was time for the lowly to ride his horse back. They had already left the north gate of Suzhou City. It's coming this way. ”

"You're sure they're coming this way. Isn't it Ying Tianfu? Zhang Fan asked.

He asked this, and the people who heard it felt that Zhang Fan was really worried about Ying Tianfu's safety. After all, Ying Tianfu was the former capital of the Ming Dynasty. The significance is significant. Everyone who heard Zhang Fan's words was a little awe-inspiring towards Zhang Fan. They saw Zhang Fan as the kind of person who cared about the imperial court very much.

But Zhang Fan didn't think so in his heart. In his heart, he actually wished that this Fusang army would attack Ying Tianfu. Yingtianfu was the former capital of the Ming Dynasty. The capital city set up by Zhu Yuanzhang when he founded the country. Its significance within the Ming Dynasty is extraordinary. It's now. Although there is also a small court here that does not perform any functions to house the idlers. But the symbolism here has always been immense. Therefore, the Ming Dynasty also attaches great importance to the defense of Ying Tianfu. If these pirates go and attack there. Obviously, it was impossible to break through the city gate of Ying Tianfu in two days. In that way, there will be a breakthrough in this crisis.

And Ying Tianfu is also in this land south of the Yangtze River. This place was once attacked by the Japanese invaders. Since that time. It doesn't matter what time of year it is. Ying Tianfu will have such a large number of defenders. And now. Hai Jui did this after the governor of the heavens. This defense is further strengthened. That's why Zhang Fan had the previous thoughts.

"Your Excellency. If this is just a matter of looking. Nor are the lowly people so sure. The man continued. It's just that what he said was something that Zhang Fan didn't want to hear. "Among the lowly ranks, there are brothers who can understand Fusang's dialect, pretending to be people who stayed in Suzhou and did not have time to escape. I finally got into the city of Suzhou by night. He lurked for a long time in the houses closest to the Fuso generals. That's when I heard the news. It was this Yangzhou capital that the Fusang army was heading for. As for why they didn't attack Yingtian. It seems that this group of people has long known the status of Ying Tianfu in my Ming Dynasty. I also know that the defense there is very tight. It's to give up. ”

Disappointed. This is extremely disappointing news for Zhang Fan and others. But. The people present were only disappointed. He didn't do anything to urge his chest. Frustrating words like yelling "God is dead to me". This news has actually been in their hearts for a long time. Now it's just been confirmed.

"How many people from Suzhou have not entered the city?" Zhang Fan asked. "Now the big war is coming. Let these people into the city quickly. That's how you can defend yourself. ”

"Your Excellency. It was too dark. I really can't see how long the crowd will be behind. Liang Chao looked to the east and looked south and east. Said helplessly. "I'm afraid I'll have to send someone to take a look in the direction the people are coming."

"Your Excellency. Humble all the way from Suzhou to the horse. I do. The man who came to report said. When the lowly office comes. There is still half a mile away from this Yangzhou. It was the figure of the fleeing people who saw it. ”

"Half a mile ......" listened to him. Zhang Fan thought about it. Half a mile is not that far. It is estimated that it will take another hour at most to get here. "Good. Wait until all the people have entered the city. and immediately shut the gates of the city. Get ready for battle. ”

"Your Excellency." After all, Wang Meng is a person who has fought a war. He had also seen this kind of battle to defend the city. There are some things he wants to remind Zhang Fan. "Although there are many defenders in this Yangzhou city now. And there are plenty of arrows, gunpowder, and cannonballs. But adults must have forgotten. The defenders of the city listened to your lord's orders. In the city, he helped the people who came in to arrange a place of rest. It started yesterday. And until now. It's been four hours. But there were still a large number of people in the city who had no place to live. It will take another hour. Only those people who came from Suzhou can come in. But until then. It will take some time for the people to make way for the defenders to get out of the city. So come one. The defenders in Yangzhou City have been sleepless for six or seven hours in a row. Wait until the Fuso army hits. Where is there still energy to defend the city. ”

This is what Wang Meng said. Zhang Fan hadn't thought about it before. But what Wang Meng said was really right. Man is not a machine after all. Not all of the defenders in Yangzhou City have been battle-hardened. Even if he faints, he will faint on the battlefield. It's people. There is always a need for a break. After all, Zhang Fan is a person who has never really led a leader to fight. There was no way for this position to be granted by the imperial court. And now. The real situation on the battlefield lies ahead. He had to think about it.

Wan Zhong on the side. This eunuch, who was serving as a supervisor for the first time, didn't know anything. Hearing Wang Meng's words, he was a little unimpressed. But wait until he inadvertently looks to the side. They found the same soldiers who guarded them with swords above the gates. In the light of the fire, it was clear that each of them was tired. Wan Zhong also panicked. People who don't do anything standing here are tired like this. Think of the soldiers below who were busy guiding the people into the city. What will it look like in six or seven hours? And Wan Zhong is not one of those who does not care about people's lives or deaths. He's got a clear head. Knowing with this tired teacher. In addition, what kind of impact will so many fleeing people in the city have on the defenders.

"Your Excellency. That's how it can be good. Wan Zhong, who had no idea but was very flustered, hurriedly opened his mouth and asked Zhang Fan.

"Don't worry, Lord Overseer. This matter was Zhang Fan's negligence. Zhang Fan said. But there's still some time. By the time that group of Fuso soldiers attacked, I am afraid it will take three hours at the earliest. After all, most of them are infantrymen. This is also a time for the defenders of the city to rest. so that they may be able to fight. ”

"But. My lord. If the defenders of the city go to rest. Who will rule over the people of the city? Wan Zhong asked the question in his heart.

"Don't panic. I've figured out how to do it. Zhang Fan spoke. Turned his head and said to Liang Chao. "Liang Chao. Go down into the city and give me commands. Find out all the famous people in the city today. It doesn't matter if he's from Yangzhou. It's still from Songjiang or Suzhou. It doesn't matter if he is a talent or a person. Find them all for me. Tell them about the situation. Let them help guide the people of the city. Well...... Fifty city guards were left behind. Let them help. Other city guards. Let them all come to rest and sleep at this gate. so that they can fight at any time. "Zhang Fan's doing this is completely in line with the Ming Dynasty's outline. Although those people are all well-known scholars. But now this is the case. The imperial court, or Zhang Fan, the general, has the right to call on them. These people were also chosen because they were meritorious readers. It's still much more sensible than others.

"Yes. My lord. Liang Chao clenched his fists and took his life. He turned around and walked down the castle tower.

"Wait a minute." Zhang Fan stopped Liang Chao, who was about to walk to the stairs. Said. "Tell the city guards who remained. If there is a large family that does not want to vacate their yards for the people to live in. Don't talk to them anymore. Just smash the door open for me. Throw me the people inside into the street. ”

"Yes. My lord. Liang Chao replied again. I waited a few breaths. Seeing that Zhang Fan had no other orders. Immediately turned around and quickly ran down the castle tower to give the order.

"My lord......" Wan Zhong looked at Zhang Fan and wanted to say something. But the words came to the lips. I can't say it again.

"Lord Warden. Don't panic. Zhang Fan said. That's how it is now. You and I can't change anything. It's better to think about how to defend this Yangzhou city. ”

"Alas......" Wan Zhong listened to Zhang Fan's words. sighed. Said. "I don't know how the battle between the sea lord and the Songjiang Prefecture and the Japanese is going on. I'm afraid it's a lose-lose situation. It is to destroy the Japanese invaders. It is estimated that there are also heavy losses. And General Qi's army will not arrive here until the day after tomorrow at the earliest. I hope Yangzhou City can hold out until that time. ”

Gradually. The hour is almost over. It's already dawning. The continuous influx of people at the two gates of Yangzhou City has long been closed. The city is under the tough behavior of the city guards. Although it is still crowded with people. But several of the city's main roads are already clear.

On the South City Gate. Although Zhang Fan has not rested for almost a day and a night. The body is very tired. But he didn't feel sleepy at all. It's not that he's thinking about anything. But now his heart is in turmoil.

"Your Excellency. Take a look. Wang Meng, who had not rested all night, suddenly pointed to the south and said.

Zhang Fan looked at it. In the distance, no one was in sight. But the puffs of smoke and dust are getting bigger. Come this way. He knows. Fuso's army is coming.

"Let people go and wake up the resting city guards." Zhang Fan said. "Tell them to prepare for battle."