The cries of the thieves were also heard in the city, and the civilians did not need to be ordered, as soon as they encountered such a thing, they could just hide in their own houses. In the past, there was also a government to recruit people to help defend the city. But now, even if the government pays a high price, they have to think about it.

The gentry and wealthy families were frightened when they heard the shouts of the thieves, and they hurriedly sent their families to the city to help defend the city, and by the way to see if the thieves had the strength to break through the city. Now that Li Yan has just left with his troops, if the thieves are strong enough, they also need to think about it.

Half an hour later, all the rich families gathered in the Shen family, including the Hou family, who also sent people, but not Hou Fangyu.

Master Shen San spoke: "Now the situation is clear, there are nearly 20,000 thieves and three trebuchets. Whether he can wait for Li Yan to come to the rescue, Wu Qian is not sure. Moreover, everyone heard the thieves' shouts, making it difficult for the people in the city to go to the city to defend. Therefore, how long it can be held depends on creation. ”

"Then, let's give the people more money and food, and then give the defenders some money and food, and see if we can hold out longer." Master Liu said nervously: "As long as reinforcements come, the thieves will withdraw from the siege." ”

Master Ye frowned and said, "But, in this case, how much grain will be used?" The thieves only need 2,000 stone of grain, and there are 800 stones in the government and county treasury, so we only need to give 1,200 stone of grain to let the thieves retreat. ”

Everyone else was silent and didn't speak, and this result was probably the best. There should be no problem with the credibility of the thieves, Yucheng and Xiayi both withdrew after taking the grain. Moreover, the grain they produce is not much, according to the previous practice, if it is divided, the more is only more than a hundred stones, and the less is only thirty or forty stones, and there is no pressure on them at all.

And if you let the people go to the city to help defend it, how much will you be paid? How many days do you have to keep it? What's more, the thieves have three large trebuchets, and if the thieves really rush in, they, the gentry, will be washed in blood

"Let's talk about it," Shen San asked slowly, "What should I do about this matter?" ”

Everyone still didn't speak, and the only sound in the living room was the sound of the tea lid rubbing against the teacup.

Master Ye said softly: "The Fan family in Yucheng and the Peng family in Xiayi have all produced grain. ”

After Master Ye reminded him like this, everyone was alive. is also an official gentry, since there are already pioneers, then even if the court blames them in the future, they can't be attacked. After all, the crime of thieves is not small, and they all have children and grandchildren in the court.

"In that case, then it's okay for us to send some food."

"Well, it's better to give them some food, after all, it's to protect the tens of thousands of people in the capital city from being destroyed."

……

Everyone said with solemn faces. Because an hourglass on the table had already leaked nearly two-thirds, which meant that they had only one-third of an hour to gather food and send it out of the city, and the time was relatively short.

Master Shen San nodded and said, "Since everyone agrees, let's go back and prepare according to the previous example." Hurry up and don't miss the deadline. ”

"Okay, let's go back and prepare." Everyone hugged their fists and agreed, and then walked out of the Shen Mansion with light steps.

1,200 stone of grain is nothing to them, and they don't even need to raise it, just take out some grain from the granary or the grain store, and it is enough.

And they never asked Su Jing, the prefect, for his opinion. Some of their family members are on errands in the government and county treasury, and they can take out the food as long as they say hello. As for whether the prefect agrees, I'll talk about that later.

Hekou Village.

The Tiger Squat artillery unit finally arrived, the parts were dragged by mules, and the gunners were on foot. It was followed by two ammunition trucks.

"How many cannons are coming?" Li Yan immediately asked.

Wang Renjie clenched his fists: "The thirteen doors came, and the other thirteen doors went to General Li Mou." The remaining four gates remained in Qixian County and continued to be tested by the gunpowder workshop. ”

"Where's the ammunition? How much to bring? Li Yan asked again.

Wang Renjie replied: "Fifteen per door." ”

Li Yan was a little disappointed, and seemed to be a little less. But there was no way, he commanded, "You have two quarters of an hour to rest and eat, no problem, right?" ”

"No problem" Wang Renjie agreed, and immediately asked his subordinates to rest and eat. After a while, the attack began, and you had to wait until after camping before you could eat, and now you can't stand it without eating.

After a while, the soldiers came to report: "General, the thief's trebuchet has been assembled, and he is loading the basket with dirt bags." ”

"If they start to move forward, report immediately," Li Yan ordered.

"Yes"

Li Yan also knew the purpose of the thieves, and he also admired the strategy of the thieves, who could break the city's determination to defend the city in one fell swoop. However, the time demanded by the thieves was about the same as the time of his attack, and if the gentry in the city decided to exchange food for peace, it might affect his plans.

Time passed slowly, and it was about to approach the time of the child, and it was also about to approach the last time for the thief to hand over the grain.

At this time, the gentry and wealthy households had already prepared grain, and the grain in the government treasury and the county treasury had also been withdrawn. They sent their subordinates to drive the cart and transport the grain to the city of Weng.

"Fuzun, general," a soldier came to the city gate tower and reported: "Shen Houye and the other masters are here." ”

Su Jing was overjoyed, thinking that they had come to Shangcheng to observe the enemy's situation and help the officers and soldiers in the war. Immediately said, "Okay, okay." Let's go meet them. ”

Wu Ding also nodded, and the two of them went out of the city gate tower to greet several officials and gentlemen.

After Master Shen San saw Su Jing, he arched his hand and said, "Fuzun, I'm here to share the worries of Fuzun and General Wu." ”

Su Jing said with a smile: "Your lords are really high-spirited, and now you can share the honor and disgrace with the mansion, and after repelling the thieves, the mansion will definitely report to the court, and I believe that Your Majesty will definitely reward you." Not to mention anything else, the memorial arch must not be less, and the glory of your family will be far away and passed on to future generations. ”

The faces of Master Shen San and the others instantly became bad, and they also felt that it was disgraceful to send food to the thieves. So Master Ye arched his hand and asked, "General Wu, are you sure that you will not lose the city of Fucheng?" ”

Wu Ding said helplessly: "If the thieves don't have trebuchets, I can guarantee to hold on until General Li's reinforcements arrive." Now that the beacon smoke has been lit, General Li's reinforcements will arrive as soon as tomorrow and the day after tomorrow, and it can only depend on luck during this period. ”

Master Shen San sighed and said, "Since this is the case, then ask the general to open the city gate." We prepared 2,000 stone of grain and sent it to the thieves, so that the city would not be harmed by the sword soldiers. ”

"How can this work" Su Jing immediately said: "Isn't this an enemy?" As long as we hold out for a day or two, General Lee's reinforcements will arrive, and the siege will be lifted immediately. ”

Master Liu frowned and said, "Fuzun also heard what General Wu said, and you can only rely on luck during this period. We also gave food to the thieves for the sake of the people of the synthesis and the soldiers at the head of the city. Once the city is broken, the whole city will be poisoned, and what we do is worthy of the court, and there is no blame and conscience. Please be considerate of the small people and soldiers in the city, open the city gate, send food to the thieves, and let the thieves retreat first. ”

"If you don't do anything about banditry, this government will never allow it," Su Jing refused loudly.

...