Chapter 3: The East Gate (Part 4)

"That's natural, as long as the whole county of my pavilion is united, what is Zhang Jin's name?" Following the tone of Lin County's order, Dong Zhushu said eagerly. There was immediately a lot of discussion around him, nothing more than how wise the county magistrate was, and how hard his colleagues worked. Hearing this, Cheng Xiaojiu's heart was empty, and he kept making his eyes look and asked Dong Zhushu to cut to the point as soon as possible.

Dong Zhushu smiled at him and made an unfathomable expression. After this round of excitement among his colleagues passed, he cleared his throat and continued: "But Zhang Thief is a guy who doesn't know the severity. If we beat us hard, it is inevitable that there will be some tricks to jump over the wall. When the time comes, it will be a lose-lose battle, and it will indeed go against the original intention of the county lord to protect the people. Therefore, I think that we still need to carefully calculate and calculate, and try to make the defense of the county seat as watertight as possible. ”

"Well, of course!" Lin Xian Ling stroked his beard lightly and nodded very favorably. "Do you and Cheng Bingcao have any good suggestions, say them and give them to everyone for details."

"It's a great suggestion, I haven't discussed it with Cheng Bingcao yet, and I ask all my colleagues to work together. In addition, the thief also shot an arrow book in the city, and I don't know what bullshit was put in. But I am all court officials, and I can't lose the limelight in front of the thieves. So please take a look at him and find a suitable wording to reply to him! "Master Dong is worthy of being a Xu official who has been walking in the officialdom for many years, and with a few words of plainness, Cheng Xiaojiu's request was completed neatly.

"That guy actually sent an arrow book to the old man? Present it to the old man and let him see what kind of ivory he can spit out of his mouth. "Lin Xianling's interest in the content of the thief's letter is far greater than in arranging to defend the city. As soon as he heard the director mention it, he immediately couldn't wait to urge.

"Please take a look!" Dong Zhushu smiled and took the feather arrow wrapped in Bai Ge from Cheng Xiaojiu's hand, and held it to Lin County Order with both hands. "It's just a threat, and I can't see if I can't beat it, so I want to play the trick of 'surrendering the army without a fight' with adults. As a bandit, it's hard for him! ”

Everyone was amused by Dong Zhushu's words, and they all looked forward to it easily, seeing how the county magistrate refuted Zhang Jincheng's wishful thinking. Unexpectedly, after Lin County Ling took the arrow book, he shook his head while reading it at first. Looking at it, his face slowly became gloomy. In the end, his hands were like lead, and he could barely hold the white arrowroot cloth on which he wrote. Trembling for a while, he slowly put it on the table.

"Is everything in the letter true?" After putting down the arrow book, Lin Xianling looked at Cheng Xiaojiu with an almost desperate gaze and asked.

"I didn't dare to read the arrow book!" Cheng Xiaojiu's heart was not good, and he hurriedly spoke out to cheer for the county lord. "The art of war has always been about fiction and reality. It is also common to say that 350,000 horses are 400,000. And the number of people and combat effectiveness can not be compared since ancient times, and there are many examples of 500 officers and soldiers breaking more than 100,000 yellow turban thieves that year! ”

"Bluffing!" Dong Zhushu still remembered Cheng Xiaojiu's please, and smiled and helped on the side. "Many of the so-called million-strong armies are actually only more than 100,000 soldiers. Among them, there are fewer soldiers, not necessarily one-tenth of the total! ”

After listening to the comforting words of the two, Lin Xianling's face softened a little. With a wry smile, he pushed the arrow book in front of everyone, and said in a low voice, "You can wait for a piece to see." Then help the county get an idea. Thief Zhang gave us three hours, and after three hours, if we refused to surrender, he would order the slaughter of the city! ”

"Grandma's, he has the ability to attack first!" The little officials were so angry that they scolded the case.

"Yes, there is Ben who has passed Cheng Bingcao's level in advance!" Although the shouting voice was loud, his heart was a little timid, and more than a dozen heads came to the side of the arrow book almost at the same time, blocking the space on the arrow book.

Seeing everyone in such a situation, Lin Xianling was even more regretful in his heart. I knew that Zhang Jin said that he was so well prepared, and he went out of the city overnight in the middle of the night last night. Although it is inevitable to lose his official position afterwards, with the head of his tenure over the years, the rest of his life is enough to live without worry. But now, the thieves' cavalry blocked all the intersections on all sides, and for the sake of a useless false name, they put their lives and the private treasures in the yamen into it!

No one spoke, only heavy gasps remained. Guo Zhutou, Jia Zhutou, Li Laojiu, Jiang Ye and others slowly raised their heads one by one, and their faces became earth-colored. Finding that everyone was so nervous, Dong Zhushu and Cheng Xiaojiu also stepped forward and put the arrow book in front of them to read it carefully. If you don't look at it, you can only look at it, and when you see it, you will "chuckle" in your heart, as if someone has pressed a big ice lump hard.

The people who came to attack Guantao County were not only Zhang Jincheng's family. Yang Gongqing, Wang Deren, Yang Baozhu, Liu Qi'er and other thieves who have recently risen on both sides of the canal have all been recruited by him. Among them, two small thieves who had just started an incident actually played under the banner of Yang Xuangan, and openly announced that they would eradicate the corrupt officials in the world for the Great Sui Emperor.

These thieves either led 5,000 or 8,000 people, or 10,000 or 20,000 soldiers, and the total total number was more than 153,000. The specific number of people in the family and where they came from are actually listed in detail in the arrow book, with bits and pieces, to show that they are not lying to each other.

"Although the number of thieves is large, they may not be united. Otherwise, last night and this morning, they would have breached the south gate! Dong Zhushu looked up at Lin Xianling's face and explained calmly. He now regrets that he didn't run away in the first place, but since the retreat has been blocked, he has to fight to the end.

Zhang Jin said that it was an appetizer he gave us. The original intention was to test whether we were worthy of his persuasion, and if we couldn't even stop the first wave of attacks, he wouldn't bother to write this letter to us! Jiang Ye's face was full of gloom, and he retorted angrily.

In his opinion, if it weren't for Cheng Xiaojiu and Dong Zhuji, everyone would not have been blocked in the city at all. Thieves have always had no fixed place, and if they have robbed enough and killed enough, they will naturally pat their butts and leave. At that time, everyone will turn back, and they should still collect taxes and taxes, and collect grain and collect grain.

At this moment, Jiang Ye is not the only one who has this idea. Jia and Guo, the two head hunters, were originally very worried about the speed of Cheng Xiaojiu's rise, and when they heard their apprentice say this, their eyes at Cheng Xiaojiu became more and more fierce. Fortunately, Zhang Jincheng's letter did not ask Guantao County to hand over a person to apologize for the losses of the rogues last night and this morning, otherwise, this damned sinner would be none other than Cheng Xiaojiu.

"Last night, I should have asked Zhang Jincheng about his purpose before going to war!"

"Yes, I could have asked someone to mediate. Well, this time, we only have two ways left: surrender and wait for death! ”

The officials and helpers have always been the leaders of the two heads. Seeing that Jia and Guo had a cold face towards Cheng Xiaojiu, they immediately stepped forward to join in the fun.

Cheng Xiaojiu has just entered the officialdom for half a month, and he doesn't know anything about the tradition of infighting. How many times would you have thought that when the enemy was present, everyone actually didn't think about how to kill the thief, but shirked each other's responsibilities first? Hearing that his colleagues pointed the finger at him, he was so aggrieved that his eyes almost smoked.

He looked at Lin Xianling with a pleading gaze, hoping that the other party would stand up and administer justice for him. Lin Xian Ling didn't know if it was because he was frightened by the thief's letter, or because he didn't hear everyone's words at all, he didn't raise his eyelids, and blindly looked towards the arrow book**.

Seeing that the county magistrate was so cowardly, the sword wound in Cheng Xiaojiu's chest became more and more painful. Barely suppressing the anger in his heart, he first smiled and arched his hand to everyone, and then asked Jiang Archer, who was the first to attack him, for advice: "According to what Jiang Tou said, Zhang Jin said that he persuaded us to surrender now, or can he afford to look down on us?" ”

"Not really! He's not qualified! Jiang Ye knew that his words had been caught, so he hid to the sides and replied curtly.

"Since he is not qualified to order us to surrender, why should we consider what is said in the arrow book?" Cheng Xiaojiu raised his voice a few points and continued to ask rhetorically. "We are officials, and he is a thief. Since ancient times, officials and thieves have been incompatible. If he descends, even if he is lucky not to be gouged out by him, how can he have the face to raise his head and be a man in the future! ”

This sentence was not aimed at Jiang Archer, but tried to remind everyone present not to forget that he was a court official. Since he became a magistrate, he collected all the food he used for his usual food from the people, and he was not qualified to escape when the matter came. Otherwise, even if the court does not pursue it, his conscience will not be able to bear the torment.

"Anyone can say anything!" Jiang Ye's gaze didn't dare to meet Cheng Xiaojiu's eyes, and he lowered his head and muttered. "Do you have what it takes to beat him away? can't beat him, and in the end, it's not bad luck to implicate others! ”

"At least we were like men when we were alive!" Cheng Xiaojiu continued to agitate. "That thief has always been cruel, and if we really surrender, we may not be able to escape death. It's better to fight to the end, at least die in front of the battle, instead of being tied up and slaughtered as a beast! ”

The young man's heart is not dusty, and although his voice is not high, he has a sense of awe-inspiring righteousness. When the officials heard this, even if they were not convinced, they could not say anything to refute it. Seeing Cheng Xiaojiu's gaze sweeping towards him, they turned their heads sideways one by one, unwilling to face those pure eyes. Deep down, he never got the courage to call Zhang Jin an enemy.

"Actually, if we continue to fight, we may not necessarily die!" The matter of taking the lead in fighting Zhang Jincheng last night also had the share of Dong Zhushu, so he had to stand in the same position as Cheng Xiaojiu. "Guantao County is only a hundred and ten miles away from the county seat, and Lord Yuan will definitely send troops to rescue him when he gets the news!"

"Then we have to be able to hold out until Lord Yuan's soldiers arrive!" Guo Zhutou rolled his eyelids and responded with a sneer.

"That is, if the thief Zhang presses it with all his might, he will attack from all sides. Let's just have a thousand hands, which one is guarding? Jia Zhutou glanced at the Dong Zhushu who didn't know anything and asked coldly.

The two of them have now figured it out that surrender is actually the least risky option for everyone in the current situation. Cheng Xiaojiu led the team to resist, and Cheng Xiaojiu killed so many "righteous army" soldiers, so let Cheng Xiaojiu bear the punishment of Zhang Jincheng. Although Zhang Thief is a cruel person, he has a reputation. After sacrificing Cheng Xiaojiu, everyone can naturally save their lives. If it doesn't work, everyone can still join the rebels. Anyway, it's not strictly controlled over there, and everyone can sneak back to their hometown if they find an opportunity.

"Although there are not many people in our county, we can borrow some money from the big families to make up the numbers. There was still a group of civilians who asked to enlist last night, and they could also be arranged to go to the city wall. The enemy army has no suitable equipment, and it is difficult to climb the other three high walls! Dong Zhushu gave back, and then replied stubbornly.

"Borrower? Do you think you're borrowing copper coins? Who has that dough to borrow things from the Zhou family, do you have the Dong master book? Jia Zhutou was used to running rampant in the yamen, and he didn't treat Dong Zhushu, an official appointed by the imperial court, as a green onion, and saw that the other party had been unwilling to go along with him, so he asked with some displeasure.

Dong Zhushu was choked by him, and a fire was also held in his stomach, and he slapped the table hard, and said sharply: "Under the nest, how can there be eggs." If Guantao City is breached, no matter how high the courtyard wall of his Zhou family is, how many more days can he hold on? This Taoist ideal must be Zhou Gongzi knows better than us, as long as the county lord opens his mouth to borrow it, I guarantee that he will not refuse! ”

"When will the Lord of the Lord be able to make the decision for the Lord of the Prefectural Order!" Jia Zhutou sneered and shrugged.

They were arguing at the bottom, but Lin Xian Ling still pretended not to hear anything and did not do anything to stop them. His eyes were still fixed on the arrow book, as if he could see a chance to survive by looking at it twice.

Seeing that everyone was about to quarrel into a pot of porridge, Cheng Xiaojiu couldn't bear it anymore, stood up suddenly, and saluted the county commander with a fist. "Three hours have passed in a flash, whether it is a battle or a surrender, please make a decision as soon as possible! It is also advisable for the subordinates to make arrangements as appropriate to preserve the lives of the brothers! ”

"Don't be ashamed!" Jiang Archer continued to pout. He also stood up, and begged Lin Xian Ling like Cheng Xiaojiu, "Please make a decision as soon as possible." I'd like to hear from you! ”

If he could be the Lord, he wouldn't be Lindern! Guo and Jia sneered contemptuously in their hearts. made a respectful look on his face, and quietly listened to the decision of Lin County's order.

After being urged several times by everyone, the Guantao County Order finally came back to his senses from his contemplation. first carefully put away the arrow book, and then asked Cheng Xiaojiu in a trembling voice: "Are you sure to guard the pavilion pottery?" ”

Cheng Xiaojiu gritted his teeth, and Zhengse agreed: "The subordinates dare not say that they are sure, but as long as the subordinates do not die, they will definitely not let anyone threaten your safety!" ”

"You said that if it comes down early, Zhang Jin said that he will let us go?" Lin Xian Ling turned his head and tried to find confidence from Guo and Jia.

Although the two catchers teamed up to trouble Cheng Xiaojiu just now, they were not completely sure of the outcome after surrendering. They exchanged glances and replied in a low voice, "It's hard to say." Zhang Jin said that that person is very reputable, but if we kill thousands of his subordinates, he will have to do something to explain to his subordinates......"

"Of course, there is no need for the two headcatchers to explain. Here the prefectural magistrate position is the highest! "Master Dong stopped Jia and Guo from talking, and said coldly." But don't leave anything to chance. Du Scar is said to be a very vindictive master. Her daughter Cuckoo is a tigress, and she will probably not forget who touched her ass half a month ago! ”

Jiang Zhutou's face was so red that he slapped the table hard, and he wanted to jump up and give Dong Zhushu a color. Lin Xian Ling understood the hidden meaning of Dong Zhu's words this time, suddenly pricked up his eyes, and shouted: "Sit down for me, isn't this county already able to control you?" If you don't fight, chaos first, what kind of system! ”

'It's not like you're out of ideas!' Jia Zhutou thought to himself. I look down on this fierce county magistrate. Since the other party came to Guantao to take office, these officials have been able to do most of the yamen. has always been rampant, how can he really treat the other party as the lord of a county?

From Jia Zhutou's eyes, Lin Xianling sensed his true thoughts. The anger in his heart was even stronger, and he raised the arrow book in his hand high and slammed it on the ground, "Whoever wants to surrender, please climb out of the fence now." Dead or alive, resigned to fate. If you don't leave now, don't bother with this idea. Otherwise, even if the county dies, it will have to pull a few people on their backs! ”

There is a way that is not afraid of the prestige of being an official, but of being an official and playing hooligan. Lin County's order was so ruthless that it really frightened the head-hunting officials. If it is usual, they can also use the method of passive sabotage, wear out the other party's sharpness, and then slowly toss. Now that the other party has Cheng Xiaojiu under his command, if they don't want to do things well, Lin County will say hello, Cheng Xiaojiu will definitely take the pick from everyone without hesitation!

Therefore, the most damned person is still Cheng Xiaojiu! The officials glared at the ignorant young man fiercely, and sat down with their heads bored. Listen to what the Lin County Order can come up with.

"If the adults can borrow some money from the Zhou family, they will be more sure to defend the city!" The director saw the opportunity and spoke in a low voice.

"The official will go to visit Zhou Gongzi when he turns around!" Although Lin Xianling was embarrassed, he still readily agreed to the advice of the master book. His present suffering cannot be told to anyone. Although the Guantao Zhou family claims to have an old relationship with him, it is all based on the face of Pushan Gong Li Mi. Now Li Mi and Yang Xuangan have rebelled, but Guantao County has always been hypocritical. In view of this situation, it is difficult to say clearly whether the Zhou family is willing to help him as a county commander.

Dong Zhushu has a close relationship with the county order, and when he saw the other party's face, he understood what he was worried about. After thinking about it, he explained with a smile: "The Zhou family is the richest family in our pavilion. Zhang Jin said that he sent troops to attack Guantao, and he still went to the Zhou family. Therefore, protecting the county is equivalent to protecting the Zhou family. Otherwise, once the county seat is broken, the courtyard wall of the Zhou family will not be able to withstand the impact of thieves several times! ”

"That's just as well!" Lin Xianling sighed and nodded.

"The wall of the Zhou family's courtyard is so high, it is almost a city within a city." Master Dong thought about it for a while, and continued to give ideas for the county order, "Your Excellency, you might as well arrange your own and your colleagues' families to the Zhou family." One is to prevent mobs from taking advantage of the opportunity to make trouble in the city. Second, let the Zhou family know that we share the same hatred with him, and we will not leave their family and withdraw first! ”

This strategy sounds reasonable, but in fact, it is suggesting that Lin County Order send the families of the officials to the Zhou family as hostages. In this way, even if Guo and Jia, the two head catchers, and his disciples have the intention to hook up with Zhang Jincheng, they have to think about their children and grandchildren. Although Lin Deen has always been cowardly, he also held back a bit of ruthlessness in the moment of life and death. nodded at the moment, and ordered loudly: "Zhu Cao, the head catcher, the squad leader, and the cell leader, must send the family members to the Zhou family's compound before dark tonight." The county will discuss with Zhou Gongzi and set aside a room to accommodate everyone's relatives. In case we can't hold the city wall, we will retreat into the Zhou family and continue to insist. Anyway, as long as there is still a breath in this county, Zhang Jin will never be called a pavilion pottery! ”

"Don't do that, adults!" Guo Zhutou's face turned black with anger, and he stood up to protest, "If we send all our family members to the Zhou Mansion, doesn't it mean telling the people that they can't keep the pavilion?" Once the people's hearts are in chaos first, I am afraid that the city wall will fall faster! ”

"This county will stand on the city wall in person like last night!" Lin Xian Ling slapped the table hard again and shouted loudly. "The county will personally stand on the city wall and let the people look at the county. Whoever retreats before the county, the county can let him go, and the county will never ask what the people in the city do! ”

After that, his eyes scanned the audience, and his whole body exuded a majesty that he had never seen before.

Alcoholic's note: I worked overtime today and couldn't write a book. Corrected these typos. Ten years of inventory, please vote for the homeland, and thank you.