Sun Chuanting was defeated too quickly, and in just one day, the whole army was defeated. = After that, he returned directly to Shaanxi and defended Tongguan. Li Zicheng and others sent their subordinates to attack in separate ways, and soon pocketed the land of western Henan.

Hou Sui and Liu Zeqing, who were in Xuchang, didn't have time to rescue at all, as for whether they had the courage to rescue, that's another story. And in Li Yan in Kaifeng, there is no way.

At the beginning of September, Li Zicheng, Luo Rucai and others led an army of 100,000 to march towards Xuchang. Hou Sui and Liu Zeqing returned to Kaifeng with their troops, and Chen Yongfu's 3,000 troops also returned to Kaifeng. And Chen Yongfu also shrank his troops, gave up Changge, Xinzheng and other places, and concentrated his troops in Zhengzhou. And sent soldiers to gather all the large and small ships within 20 miles, ready to cross the river to Hebei at any time.

However, Li Yan's troops did not flinch in the slightest, and one battalion (1,000 people) in Fugou County and Weishi County were still strengthening the city defenses and clearing the wilderness. Grain, grass, bows, crossbows, arrows, ammunition and other materials continue to be transported from Guide Prefecture, including Kaifeng City.

Although the thieves are still far away in Xuchang and Yanling, the people in Kaifeng City are already panicking. Kaifeng was besieged again and again, ordinary people contributed their efforts, and the big clans contributed money and food, and finally survived three times with difficulty. But at this time, even with Li Yan's troops stationed, whether it was the people or the official gentry, they were already exhausted in spirit and strength, and no one was willing to live and die with Kaifeng anymore.

The officials and gentry in Kaifeng City are packing up their things, and sending their subordinates to the ferry to take care of the boat, ready to flee north with their families and fine soft at any time. And the clans of the near branches in the city, especially the kings and generals of the various counties, all ran to the palace of King Zhou all day long, hoping that King Zhou could prepare early and go to Hebei to take refuge.

Although the clan had fields and wealth, as well as a magnificent mansion, they were confined to Kaifeng City and could not leave at will. If King Zhou took the lead, they would be able to escape Kaifeng together. To be honest, although they are clans and enjoy the preferential treatment of the imperial court, few of them are willing to fight to the death for their Zhu family. Perhaps it was the various restrictions imposed on them by the imperial court that made them not have much sense of belonging to this world.

And the king of Zhou was also not very troubled, so he simply ordered that all children of the clan were not allowed to enter the palace without being summoned. And Li Yan was summoned more and more diligently.

"Virtuous son-in-law, can Kaifeng be kept?" King Zhou summoned Li Yan for the second time in a day and asked anxiously in the study.

Li Yan replied helplessly: "Lord Wang, you can relax, the thieves are still far away from here." Moreover, according to the report of the last general, the thieves were only more than 100,000 horses. ”

"Really? Only a few hundred thousand? King Zhou still said in disbelief: "Aren't they millions of people? And Sun Chuanting's 40,000 elite soldiers, didn't they hold on for even a day? ”

Li Yan comforted: "Don't worry, the last general will guard Kaifeng, and he will naturally focus on investigating the situation of the thieves." And isn't there more than 10,000 people from Liu Zeqing here, Kaifeng is much more stable than before. As for the worries of the clans, as well as the movements of the rich gentry, you don't have to pay attention to them, even if they are all gone, Kaifeng is as solid as gold. ”

"Well, okay, you let go and prepare, and the opening will be handed over to you." King Zhou hesitated for a while, but still said this sentence that he had said many times.

At this time, a eunuch reported outside the door: "Governor Gao, Liang Bu's political envoy and other lords ask to see the prince." ”

Li Yan hugged his fists and said: "The last general has retired." ”

"Okay, I'll report something at any time." King Zhou nodded and instructed.

Li Yan finally didn't hold back, and hugged his fists and said: "Lord Wang, you have frequently summoned the last general in recent days, which has affected the preparation of the last general. If there is nothing particularly important, please do not summon the prince. Every evening, the latest news will be written into a recital and presented to the prince for the royal review. ”

King Zhou's face turned unsightly in an instant, but he still ordered: "It's better for you to come in person, and make it clear in person." ”

"The last will obey." Li Yan agreed, and then pushed out the study.

Before he could get out of the palace, he was called back by the little eunuch. But this time I went to the side hall of the palace.

"My lord, my lords." Li Yan entered the side hall and saluted everyone with his fists.

King Zhou said to Li Yan: "Why didn't you say a word to your family about the measures you are implementing now?" ”

Since yesterday, some people have started to go out of the city and go north. Therefore, Li Yan immediately implemented a new rule, all large households who went out of the city must leave half of the grain, and all the mules and horses must also be left. As for their families and belongings, they can only figure it out on their own. In order to prevent large households from hoarding grain, he also sent soldiers to patrol day and night. All private or merchant sellers of grain can only sell it to the barracks, otherwise it will be confiscated once discovered.

Li Yan hugged his fists and said: "These measures are all designed to guard Kaifeng, I don't know if you adults have any opinions?" ”

"Don't talk about half of the grain deducted from the city gate, why do you even have to detain the mules and horses?" Huang Shu was dissatisfied and asked first: "Now a porter has to give two taels of silver, which seriously affects the flow of merchants!" Also, who gave you the power to let the people sell all their food to the army?! Buying and selling must be voluntary, how can you force you to buy and sell?! ”

The big families all fled with money, and as long as there was enough food to eat, it was naturally not the point. However, the problem of buying and selling grain has affected many families, including their relatives. That's why people didn't start going out of the city until yesterday, waiting to turn their grain into silver.

However, Li Yan's purchase price is the same price as the market, which is far from their psychological expectations. And two batches of grain have already been confiscated, and they have not been returned until now, so they have used their official connections.

Li Yan replied calmly: "Last time Kaifeng was besieged, you lords were forced to requisition grain from rich merchants. Now it's just a parity deal, I don't know what problem Huang Tuiguan thinks? ”

"That's a helpless move that has been besieged by thieves for many days, and there is really no way to do it." Gao Mingheng said: "Now the thieves are still hundreds of miles away, and you are really unacceptable to the people by doing this." ”

Li Yan said coldly: "Only if the people in the city can eat their stomachs, can I lead the troops to guard Kaifeng." If the people in the city were to make a disturbance because of hunger, the gods would not be able to defend it. All of you are appointed officials of the imperial court, and you have the responsibility of guarding the land, and you share weal and woe with Kaifeng City. As for money, there are many ways to make money, so why always pick and gather in times of crisis? ”

"You, what do you mean?!" Liang Bing pointed at Li Yan and shouted angrily.

Li Yan clenched his fists and said, "Ladies and gentlemen, let's do it for yourself." Money is good, but it's really good to have your life to enjoy it. After saying that, he left the side hall and went out of the palace.

"Fanatic!"

"What a boldness, I want to report to the court!"

"Arrogance! The court will never let you come nonsense! ”

"Lord Wang, such rebellious people can't be connived!"

……

The officials watched Li Yan leave in astonishment, and only after Li Yan left the hall did they curse one after another.

"Shut up!" King Zhou slapped the case a few times and scolded loudly: "If Kaifeng can be kept, everything is easy to say." If not, you will wait to be exterminated! ”

The officials had no choice but to give up. The Zhou Wangfu has a lot of tricks in their hands, if the emperor knows, coupled with the responsibility for the loss of Kaifeng, it is not impossible to destroy the family.

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