(Xie: A wave of tips from book friends 46488552 ）

Last night's chaos made the people and soldiers and civilians of Yangzhou City panic. The fire of Yanghualou in the north of the city burned red through half of the sky, and the whole city knew about this sudden fire. Everyone knows that Yang Hualou is the property of the Cui family, and in the night before the battle, the Yang Hualou of the Cui family suddenly caught fire, which made many people have ominous associations. Could it be that the rebels infiltrated the city and began to wreak havoc? What is the life and death of the Cui family living in Yanghualou? Will it affect the matter of the Dao Shou City? All these questions and worries hung over the hearts of the people, and rumors spread among the people like a plague, and everyone seemed worried.

However, when the sky in the east rose in the colorful glow of the sunrise, tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians in the north of the city saw the figure of Captain Wang and the Cui family who came on horseback. Seeing that these people's expressions were calm and laughing as usual, a big stone fell in the hearts of the soldiers and civilians defending the city. It seems that nothing bad happened last night, and the fire in Yang Hualou did not have any serious consequences. In particular, seeing Captain Wang, who has become the object of dependence in the hearts of the military and the people in the past few days, is full of energy, which makes everyone's hearts feel at ease.

Wang Yuan and the others got off their horses and climbed the city tower, and Wang Yuan looked out of the city. But in the early morning mist, the scenery in the north of the city is peaceful. The trees are continuous, the avenue is wide, and the faint outline of the rolling hills to the north can be seen. Under the blue sky, on the Grand Canal that winds into the city like a jade belt in the north of the city, the water vapor is steaming up, like a giant python spewing white smoke. This situation and this scene make the heart relaxed and happy, and the ears and eyes are like bathing.

"The scout cavalry who went out to hear the news last night has returned?" Wang Yuan asked in a deep voice holding the battlements.

Cui Yuanbo, who was standing next to Wang Yuan, hurriedly said: "Xiangguo wait, go and ask." ”

"Don't ask Cui Beijia, the two teams of scout cavalry have just returned, so I'll go and ask them to come up and go back and forth." Zeng Guozhong, the leading general of Yangzhou, heard that everyone was coming, and strode from the other side of the city wall.

"Why don't you go soon? Such things can also be delayed. Cui Yuanbo frowned.

"Cui don't drive, the humble duty is not to delay, but they have just come back, and they are so cold that their noses are blue and their faces are swollen and they can't stand, and the humble duty has made some hot soup for them to drink to warm their bodies. Besides, Shen Taishou was also asking. Zeng Guozhong said busily.

"You go and tell Shen Taishou to bring someone immediately and report to Wang Xiangguo." Cui Yuanbo said.

"Wang Xiangguo? Which is Wang Xiangguo? Zeng Guozhong said.

Cui Yuanbo pointed at Wang Yuan and said: "General Zeng, you don't know yet, this one is the commander of the Shence Army, Wang Xiangguo of the current dynasty, and he didn't reveal his identity before." ”

Zeng Guozhong's mouth opened wide in shock, pointed at Wang Yuan and stammered: "Are you ...... You are ......"

Wang Yuan smiled and nodded: "General Zeng, I am Wang Yuan." ”

"Oh, this is blind, I don't know that you are Wang Xiangguo. Oh my God, how good is that. You must know that you are Wang Xiangguo himself, and the soldiers and civilians of Yangzhou City are not all shocked and their jaws dropped. Wang Xiangguo. I admire you the most, not only me, but also Wang Xiangguo, the most discussed topic in my Yangzhou army. You are the god in the minds of my Tang soldiers. Zeng Guozhong exclaimed in surprise.

Wang Yuan smiled and said, "Thank you, I'm not a god." General Zeng, let's do things first, and then talk. Go and bring the scout cavalry, I'm going to ask them. ”

"Hey, okay, let's go." Zeng Guozhong agreed loudly, raised his feet and left. When I was in a hurry, I almost fell on my heels.

Cui Yuanbo laughed in a low voice: "I didn't expect that the name of Xiangguo is also known to everyone in my Yangzhou, it seems that these people admire Xiangguo very much." ”

Cui Ruoyu smiled beside her: "Dad, do you need to talk about it?" Wang Xiangguo has done so many great things for the country and the people, and the army and the people are naturally praised. ”

Wang Yuan heard the words "for the country and the people", his face was a little feverish, and he said in his heart: I did serve the country and the people before, but now I am not loyal to the country.

"That's that, Wang Xiangguo, I'm thinking, if you just spread the news of Xiangguo in Yangzhou, maybe it will boost morale and increase confidence, which may be beneficial to defending the city." Cui Yuanbo said with a smile.

Wang Yuan frowned and said, "Is there this necessary?" ”

Cui Yuanbo said: "Of course it is necessary, the number of defenders in Yangzhou is not large, and it depends on the courage to fight to the death." If you know that Wang Xiangguo will kill the enemy side by side with them, then you must have doubled your courage and kill the enemy with more energy. ”

Wang Yuan smiled and said, "Okay, as long as it's beneficial to defend the city." ”

Cui Yuanbo said: "At that moment, I asked Xiangguo to lecture the soldiers and civilians, and while announcing his identity, Xiangguo could also fight bravely to kill the enemy." ”

Wang Yuan smiled and nodded, "It's okay." ”

As he was talking, Shen Zifang climbed up the stairs under the city. As soon as he went to the city, Shen Zifang trotted up with the corner of his robe and came to Wang Yuan, and the panting Shen Zifang knelt on the ground, kowtowed and saluted: "The lower official Shen Zifang saw Xiangguo, I didn't know Xiangguo's true face before, and his words were contemptuous, please forgive Xiangguo." ”

Wang Yuan hurriedly helped him up and said, "Shen Taishou, what is this doing?" Get up quickly, and those who do not know will not sin. ”

Shen Zifang got up with a smile on his face, looked Wang Yuan up and down, his face was full of sincerity, and he smacked his lips and praised: "Sure enough, it is extraordinary, and there are dragons and phoenixes among people." The subordinate felt that something was wrong before, that captain had such a well-organized and powerful demeanor? It turned out that Wang Xiangguo came in person. Now it's okay, I'm definitely not worried about Yangzhou City this time, with Wang Xiangguo in charge, let's say that there are 70,000 or 80,000 rebels, that is, 700,000 and 800,000, and it will definitely return. ”

The people around him showed strange expressions, and Shen Taishou's sycophant was too much. Wang Yuan also listened to him patting his ass, so he smiled and said: "Shen Taishou, let's do the right thing first, where is the scout cavalry who probed the enemy's tracks last night?" ”

Shen Zifang hurriedly turned around and waved to a few people walking on the city wall, "Why don't you come to report quickly?" ”

Those people quickened their pace, and several soldiers came to the front with two soldiers in their arms, and they all bowed their hands to Wang Yuan and the others. Wang Yuan saw that the two soldiers were pale, and the armor and clothes on their bodies were also very messy, so he smiled and said, "You two are the scouts who went to investigate the enemy's tracks last night?" ”

"Exactly, the villains and others were the first group to set off last night." The two soldiers hurriedly replied.

Shen Zifang interjected on the side: "In addition to the two of them, we sent out eight groups of scouts in a row last night, and we will come back one after another to report the news." ”

Wang Yuan nodded and said, "What kind of news did you two bring us?" ”

Shen Zifang interjected again: "The lower official has already asked ...... understood."

Cui Yuanbo hurriedly said: "Shen Taishou, let Xiangguo listen to the scout's report by himself, Taishou listens." ”

Shen Zifang was embarrassed, but heard one of the soldiers with a dark and thin face reply: "Report to Wang Xiangguo, yesterday evening the villain and the two rode along the canal to the north to investigate the enemy's traces, and at the third watch, they encountered the rebel fleet at the mouth of Ping'a Lake in the south of Gaoyou Lake. ”

Wang Yuan frowned and thought, "Ping'a Hukou? How far is it from Yangzhou? ”

"About ninety miles. The villain and the others saw a large area of blackened ships, and the number of them was probably hundreds. They gathered at the mouth of the lake and were passing through the narrow waterway of the lake. The villain didn't dare to delay more, so Pegasus immediately rushed back to report. The scout said.

"Ninety miles?" Wang Yuan took a breath of cold air, the ninety miles of waterway was the location of the third watch last night, and at the speed of the rebels coming down from the waterway, the time to arrive in Yangzhou should be in the afternoon. The danger is imminent.

"Xiangguo, there is no wind today. The rebels have no sails to borrow, and they will definitely not be able to reach it before noon. Arrive as early as early in the afternoon. We're running out of time. Zeng Guozhong's words also proved Wang Yuan's speculation.

Wang Yuan nodded and said, "Yes, within two hours from now, all the soldiers and horses defending the city must be in place, and the defensive preparations must be completely done." I guess that the rebels are coming from the waterway, and when they reach the north of the city, they will not stop at all, and will attack directly. For although they had come from afar, the rebels did not have to travel the toil of the trek, nor did they need to camp and rest. ”

"What Xiang Guo said is extremely true." Zeng Guozhong said.

Wang Yuan nodded at the two scouts and said, "It's hard work, go down and rest." ”

After the two scouts thanked him, he was slowly helped away by several soldiers, and Wang Yuan turned his head to the people around him: "Everyone, we can't delay time, and we will immediately perform our duties and act." All the defenders were immediately in place, and the well-organized young and strong people were also on standby at the city gates, and all the supplies were to be prepared and ready for transportation. Let's do it now. ”

The people answered in unison, and went down to the city. A moment later, the gongs and drums in the city shook the sky, and the whole city instantly became as lively as a wave. Groups of soldiers defending the city began to ascend the city from various stairs, and were in place in an orderly manner on the city walls, on the suspension bridges, and on the platform of the arrow tower at the head of the city. A steady stream of supplies was also being delivered to the defensive locations. The people of the city also flocked to the northern part of the city from all directions, and only seven or eight thousand young and strong people who could participate in the defense of the city were allowed to enter the streets of the city walls. The rest of the people crowded into the streets in the distance. This battle to defend the city is about the life and death of everyone, so it also affects everyone's hearts.

Two hours later, the sun was high in the sky, and the mist on the canal had long since cleared. The sun shines all over the north city. In two hours, the preparations were ready. At least in Wang Yuan's opinion, everything that can be done has been done to perfection.

After resting for a few hours, Cui Daoyuan also rushed to the north of the city by car. The old fox went up to the city in good spirits.

"Cui Weng, why don't you rest in the mansion? There is no need for Cui Weng to worry about the head of the city, he can sit in charge. Wang Yuan greeted him with a smile and said.

"How can the old man sleep? Wang Xiangguo is doing it himself, but the old man is sleeping, how can this be reasonable? Cui Daoyuan smiled and arched his hand.

Wang Yuan said: "It's okay, Cui Weng appeared, and the soldiers and civilians were also more calm." ”

Cui Daoyuan said: "That's it, the old man is not a big deal, but just now Yuan Bo told me that he wanted the old man to announce the news of Xiangguo's defense here to the whole city to boost the morale of the army and the people, and the old man felt that it was very necessary." So Xiangguo will give a face, go to the city tower with the old man to meet with my Yangzhou soldiers and civilians officially, and cheer them up and boost their morale, how about it? ”

Wang Yuan smiled: "Dare to disobey your fate." ”

After a while, everyone gathered around Wang Yuan and Cui Daoyuan to the high tower of the North City Gate. The snare drums beat loudly, and the noisy castle tower soon fell silent. Countless eyes looked above the tower. But I saw Cui Daoyuan smiling and appearing on the city tower.

"Ladies and gentlemen, officials and soldiers in Yangzhou." Cui Daoyuan spoke loudly, don't look at it as an old man who is nearly seventy years old, his voice is still full of energy, loud and deafening.

"That's the head of the Cui family, I thought he had already left Yangzhou, but I didn't expect him to be still in Yangzhou. The Cui family is also determined to defend Yangzhou this time. The people whispered, and when they saw Cui Daoyuan appear, many panicked hearts instantly settled down.

But listening to Cui Daoyuan continued: "The old Cui Daoyuan is here to express his gratitude to the fathers and villagers in Yangzhou. The old man was moved by the hatred of the whole Yangzhou people. The rebel army is coming, and I believe that you, like the old decay, have sworn to defend the city with the same enemy, but also fear that the rebels are strong and it will be difficult for us to defend the city. But now the old man tells you that Yangzhou City will definitely be able to defend it, because not only we swear to defend the city, but the court has not forgotten us. Lao Yu hereby solemnly introduces to you a legendary figure of my Tang Dynasty, who was sent by the imperial court to sit in Yangzhou and help us defend Yangzhou. Ladies and gentlemen, this one is the current Xiangguo of my Tang Dynasty, the generalissimo of the world's soldiers and horses, and the commander of the Shence Army who has won a hundred battles, Wang Yuan, Wang Xiangguo. ”

Cui Daoyuan stretched out his hand and pointed to the side, and everyone's eyes fell on Wang Yuan, who was standing on the side and wearing black ordinary armor.

"What? Is he Wang Yuan? Today's Wang Xiangguo? That is Wang Yuan, who led the Shence army without tasting a single defeat? There was a stunned voice above and below the city. Except for a few soldiers who already knew Wang Yuan's identity, the vast majority of Yangzhou soldiers and civilians did not know Wang Yuan's identity at all. This surprise is not trivial.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please ask Wang Xiangguo to admonish you." Cui Daoyuan said loudly.

"Wow!" Thunderous applause and commotion erupted from above and below the city. If this person is really Wang Yuan, it is really amazing. This man has created countless miracles and his reputation is resounding throughout the Tang Dynasty, although it is mixed, it is not an exaggeration to say that he is a legend.

The shouts are also mixed with a lot of eye-catching warbler voices and swallow words. The sound of crying, that is the practitioners of the tobacco willow industry in the major youth halls in Yangzhou. The largest and most developed entertainment industry in Yangzhou is none other than the Qinglou Red Pavilion in Yangzhou. However, Wang Yuan's name is not spread in these places because of his great achievements, but because of the poems that Wang Yuan once wrote and filled in the various lyrics that circulated. Wang Yuan's poems and lyrics were very popular in the capital. When the capital was popular, Yangzhou City soon became popular. Wang Yuan's poems and lyrics were composed into various tunes, which became a scenery in the Yangzhou Youth Museum. It is precisely because Wang Yuan continues to create miracles that his poems and lyrics have been sung for a long time and are the most hot.

And these are the biggest reasons why Wang Yuan is famous among the green buildings in Yangzhou. Therefore, as soon as these red prostitutes and singers heard Wang Yuan's name and saw Wang Yuan appear in Yangzhou, their excitement was overflowing. It's no surprise that the coquettish shouts of the little stars on the face. If Wang Yuan knew that he had such a group of supporters, he didn't know how to feel.

On the city tower, Wang Yuan thanked Cui Daoyuan with his hand, and waved a few steps forward with a smile on his face.

The drums sounded, the soldiers and civilians also quieted down, and Wang Yuan slowly spoke: "Fathers and fellow villagers, soldiers of Yangzhou. That's right, I'm Wang Yuan. ”

"Wow!"

The noise under the city rose again, and the shouting sound entered the mountains like a tsunami. Wang Yuan pressed down with both hands, and after a while, the crowd quieted down.

"Three days ago, my eldest lady of the Cui family came to Yangzhou together for the rebel attack on Yangzhou. Please forgive me for not being able to lead my Shence army to Yangzhou in time to help you defend the city, because the Shence army is still destroying another rebel army, and it will be at least a month before they reach Yangzhou. But I came here in person to let you understand that Yangzhou City cannot be lost, and Yangzhou City must be defended. Because this is not only related to the lives of hundreds of thousands of fathers and villagers in Yangzhou, but also to the lives of many state capitals and tens of millions of people in the south of the Yangtze River. So, Wang had to come, had to come. ”

"This time, the rebels marched south along the canal, numbering nearly 80,000 people, and it has to be said that this is a huge crisis. Our Yangzhou garrison has only more than 10,000 troops, plus the 5,000 reinforcements mobilized from Jiangnan by Cui Weng, who arrived after the morning, and our soldiers and horses are only 15,000 people. With 15,000 men to resist an enemy of 80,000, you should all know the severity of the situation. However, even so, I am full of confidence in holding Yangzhou. ”

"Many people may think that I am talking big, but if I tell you a few real stories, you will know that what I am telling is true. Last year, the rebels swept across Hebei and occupied almost all of the state capitals in Hebei, but there was one city that was unharmed under heavy encirclement. I'm sure many of you have already heard about it. That's right, it's Plains City. The plain guarded Yan Zhenqing, with less than 15,000 soldiers and horses, and was besieged by the rebel army of 50,000 for eight or nine months. Think about it, what is it like to be under siege for eight or nine months? How many defenders can there be in Plains? How strong can the city defenses be? How much grain and grass can there be? However, it was under these circumstances that they firmly held the city, and saved the lives of tens of thousands of people in the plains, until I led my army to rescue them. What do they rely on? It depends on the belief in victory and the stubborn defense of unity