Nearly half of the afternoon, Wu Jun's fleet turned back to Jiangning City, where it had passed, and docked at the Xiaguan Wharf outside Yifeng Gate, but it was also at this time that Wu Chaoyue found that the streets outside the city outside Yifeng Gate were already empty, closed everywhere, and there were very few pedestrians, and it was obvious that the people outside the city had already fled.

Secretly scolded himself for being careless and did not send someone ashore yesterday to understand the situation, Wu Chaoyue kept this lesson firmly in mind, while leaving Deng Siyuan and Huang Dasha and other sentinels to guard the ship, and personally led Wu Dadao and other personal soldiers ashore, to Yifengmen to contact and negotiate with the defenders, and Hui Zheng, who was under the command of Lu Jianying, also had the courage to follow.

Outside the gate of Deyi Fengmen, the city gate was naturally under martial law, and the defenders in the city did not wait for Wu Chaoyue and his party to walk on the stone bridge across the river, they had already opened their mouths and shouted to ask Wu Chaoyue and others what they meant, Wu Chaoyue stepped forward, loudly stated his identity, and asked loudly: "Brother Green Camp in the city, is Lu Jianying and Lu Zhitai in the city?" If he was there, I would go into the city to see him, and he asked me to take the Songjiang regiment to Wuhu to help in the war, but before I arrived in Wuhu, the whole army was wiped out there, and I wanted to ask him what to do next. ”

"The land system is in the city." The defenders of the city replied truthfully, and said loudly: "But Lu Zhitai has an order, and the whole city of Jiangning is under martial law, and without his or General Xiang's handwritten warrant, no one is allowed to enter and leave Jiangning City without permission, so we can't open the door to let you enter the city!" ”

Wu Chaoyue was helpless when he heard this, so he could only ask the defenders to play on his behalf, and let Lu Jianying tell him what to do next - did he withdraw to Shanghai with the regimental training? After the defenders agreed, Wu Chaoyue also settled down to observe the surrounding situation, but it was okay not to look at it, but after taking a closer look, Wu Chaoyue was a little strange.

What makes Wu Chaoyue strange is the combat readiness of Jiangning City, it is clear that the people outside the city have long run out, but the houses and courtyards outside the city are still intact, neither set on fire, nor razed to the ground - although Wu Chaoyue does not have much military experience, he also knows that when it comes to the siege of the city, the courtyard walls of these houses will inevitably become the ideal cover for the siege army, which is very unfavorable to the defenders. And what is even more outrageous is the moat, the bottom of the silted river is less than one meter away from the river bank, and the Jiangning defenders did not even think of dredging and cleaning, and they did not think that once the war started, the Taiping soldiers could easily cross the moat and directly impact the city wall.

There are also the defenders in the city, even if they are standing under the city, Wu Chaoyue can clearly hear the sound of guessing and laughing and slapping in the city, and he can see that many defenders have left their posts and have not taken any precautions against Wu Chaoyue and others standing under the city. Seeing this scene, Wu Chaoyue not only muttered that it was no wonder that the Taiping army could easily take Nanjing City in history, but also quietly began to pray, asking Lu Jianying not to call himself into the city to participate in the defense of the city.

It's a pity that the heavens don't fulfill people's wishes, and it didn't take long for a man wearing an official hat to lean out of the city and shout at Wu Chaoyue: "Chief Wu, this official is Qi Suzao, the political envoy of Jiangsu, please prepare to enter the city immediately, and after a while, the official will ask for the consent of Lu Zhitai, and open the door for you to enter the city!" ”

"Eventful."

Wu Chaoyue secretly scolded the nosy Jiangsu Domain's Qi Suzao in the city, but there was no way but to agree loudly, and then led his own soldiers back to organize regimental exercises to prepare for entering the city, leaving Qi Suzao on the city wall with his hands together, bowing to the world again and again, and his mouth was grateful, "Thank God, thank God, Lu Jianying, that idiot has finally done a good thing, and transferred Wu Chaoyue, a fierce general who can fight well, and there is finally some hope for holding Jiangning City." ”

Of course, Wu Chaoyue didn't know that Qi Suzao had such high hopes for him, and after moving the weapons and ammunition off the ship, Wu Chaoyue also ordered the Shanghai regiment to train and assemble the whole team, cheer up and sing the military song "No Clothes" to march into the city, and five hundred flag armor Lian Yong marched according to the order, carrying rifles with snow-bright bayonets, and marching in a neat queue.

Not to mention, seeing the high-spirited Shanghai regimental training lined up, none of the defenders in the city did not feel fresh and novel, and they poked their heads out from behind the arrow battlements to look around, pointing at Wu Junlianyong's queue, Qi Suzao, who had high hopes for the Shanghai regimental training, was even more smiling, just received the news that Lu Jianying agreed to the Shanghai regimental training, and immediately couldn't wait to order the opening of the city, and personally went to the city gate to greet Wu Chaoyue, and the praise was endless, and he also took the initiative to personally lead the way for Wu Chaoyue to see Lu Jianying.

also really entered the city, Wu Chaoyue, who has always been not very popular in the Qing Dynasty officialdom, finally understood why the comprador grandfather's direct boss, the political envoy Qi Suzao, was so enthusiastic about himself - there are a lot of regimental exercises in Jiangning City, but these Lian Yong with the word 'Yong' written on his chest are obviously worse than the Qing Army's green battalion in terms of discipline. In comparison, although the number of people was small but the queue was neat, the Shanghai group training stood among them, and there was no word to describe it except for standing out from the crowd, which also made Wu Chaoyue have such a worry, "Lao Tzu worked hard to train the Shanghai group training, don't be damn damaged by these double spearmen in Jiangning City, right?" ”

arranged for Wu Jun Lian Yong to wait in the open space in Yifeng Gate temporarily, Wu Chaoyue and Hui Zheng each rode a horse, and followed Qi Suzao all the way to the Liangjiang Governor's Mansion located on Xihuamen Street, and then relied on Qi Suzao's help, Wu Chaoyue and Hui Zheng did not wait for the door to report, and directly entered the lobby of the Governor's Mansion.

The hall was full of civil and military officials, as if they were in a meeting, seeing Qi Suzao leading Wu Chaoyue and Hui Zheng in, Lu Jianying, the governor of Liangjiang who was sitting in the middle, first waved his hand to let the officials be quiet, and then after carefully glancing at Qi Suzao and Wu Chaoyue and others, Lu Jianying asked Qi Suzao with a surprised expression: "Youzhang, didn't you say that you want to lead the famous Qing general Wu Chaoyue to meet the governor?" Where is he? ”

Hearing this, Wu Chaoyue, who was wearing plain clothes, also said that Lu Jianying didn't recognize him, because he didn't wear an official uniform, so he hurriedly saluted Lu Jianying and said: "Lord Chengtai, the lower official is Wu Chaoyue, and the lower official just got off the boat and went directly into the city to meet him. ”

"You are Wu Chaoyue?" Lu Jianying's expression was even more surprised, he looked Wu Chaoyue up and down, and asked suspiciously, "How old are you this year?" ”

"The system is on the table, and the official is eighteen years old."

Wu Chaoyue answered truthfully, and what surprised Wu Chaoyue was that after hearing this, not only Lu Jianying immediately showed disappointment, but Jiang Ning Wenwu next to him also whispered, all surprised by Wu Chaoyue's young age, one of the banner generals with a lightning rod on his head also got up directly, walked closer and looked at Wu Chaoyue carefully, and a sneer appeared directly on his face, and asked: "You are the Wu Chaoyue who broke four thousand rebels with two hundred practice bravery?" Doesn't it look like it, there is no meat on the arm, how many stone bows can you pull? ”

Don't blame Lu Jianying and others for judging people by their appearance, the main reason is that our little comprador Wu is really not good-looking, his face is usually not liked by big girls and little daughters-in-law, and his figure is as thin as a reed stick, and he really doesn't look like the legendary famous general who can break the 4,000 rebel army with 200 bravery. Wu Chaoyue also vaguely guessed the reason, and didn't mind much, but replied truthfully: "Back to this lord, the lower official will not draw a bow and release arrows." ”

"Can't draw a bow and release arrows?" The banner man general with a meaty face was even more strange when he heard it, and hurriedly asked, "Then how did you win such a big battle in Songjiang?" ”

"Xiaguan can't draw a bow and release arrows, but Xiaguan has a lot of research on firearms, and in the battle of Qingpu, Xiaguan won by relying on the advantage of firearms." Wu Chaoyue replied.

"Firearms? Hmph, weird tricks! The banner generals were even more disdainful of Wu Chaoyue.

"General Xiang, have you never seen the Lian Yong under the command of Chief Wu, not only are they all equipped with firearms, but they are also foreigner firearms that the lower officials have never seen before, if General Xiang doesn't believe it, you can go and watch it in person." Qi Suzao hurriedly shouted for Wu Chaoyue, and then bowed his hand to Lu Jianying and said: "Lu Zhitai, Xia Guan suggests that you might as well go and see those Lian Yong in charge of Wu in person, although their number is small, but the military appearance is not seen in Xia Guan's life, compared with the other Lian Yong in Jiangning City, it is simply a mess of loose sand. ”

"It's okay to look at it, or it's okay not to look at it." The general of the banner man with a full face snorted disdainfully: "The strange and obscene skills of foreigners, this general has seen a lot, there is nothing surprising, and it is not of much use." ”

"I'll go and see it when I have time."

Lu Jianying's attitude was slightly better than that of the banner general, but it was not better to get there, after saying this, Lu Jianying ignored Wu Chaoyue anymore, and turned straight to Hui Zheng, who was standing behind Qi Suzao in fear, and shouted: "Hui Zheng, this official ordered you to accompany Chen Shengyuan to stick to Wuhu and Dongxi Liangshan, where is Wuhu now?" Where is the camp of the two mountains?! ”

Hui Zheng obediently knelt down on his knees, kowtowed and said: "Xiaguan should die, the two big camps of Wuhu and Dongxiliangshan have been lost, but Xiaguan has done his best, and there are many rebels, with hundreds of thousands of troops, and the combined land and water forces of Xiaguan and General Chen are only more than 6,000 people, and they are outnumbered so they are defeated." Even so, Xiaguan fought fiercely with Changmao to the last moment, and brought back 10,000 taels of silver from the Liangshan battalion. ”

The Wuhu defense line was arranged by Lu Jianying, and Lu Jianying knew what the situation was in his heart, so after listening to Hui Zheng's report, Lu Jianying did not have an immediate attack, but the banner general who disdained Wu Chaoyue was furious, and roared: "Stop!" You still have the face to say that you have a small merit, lose the city and land, lose your teacher and humiliate the country, and commit a felony of killing your head and stealing your family! Come on, take this Hui Zheng down for General Ben, put him in the death row prison, and wait for General Ben to play the Holy Order, and then escort him to the court to be beheaded, so as to set an example! ”

I don't know what kind of official the banner general is, after listening to his shouting, the messenger under the hall really rushed up to capture Hui Zheng, Hui Zheng's soul was scattered, and he quickly kowtowed to him, and said: "General Xiang spares his life, General Xiang spares his life, and the lower official is guilty, but the lower official is really invincible, and he is forced to retreat because he can't fight the rebellion!" ”

Pleading was useless, under the scolding and urging of the banner general, the messenger was still forcibly dragging Hui Zheng down, seeing this scene, Wu Chaoyue, who had promised to ask for mercy before, also spoke and said: "Slow! This general, please listen to the words of the lower officer. ”

"What are you to dare to make General Ben listen to you?" The general of the banner man asked proudly, and shouted: "A little six-pin master, it's none of your business here, get out of the way for General Ben!" ”

"General, you're bigger than the shelf you have today." Wu Chaoyue was also a little angry, and said with a smile: "On June 14 last year, the lower officials went to the palace to face the king, and at that time, the lower officials were still clothed, and the emperor also opened the golden mouth to allow the lower officials to speak. Now the lower officials are not only the emperor personally ordered the officials to be named as the five-rank officials used by the state government, but also the court officials who were requisitioned and transferred to the army to participate in the suppression by Lu Zhitai, and expressed their opinions on matters involving military law. ”

"You ......." The banner general suddenly jumped like thunder, and shouted: "Come on, beat this bold Wu Chaoyue to this general!" ”

Encountering such an unreasonable bastard, Wu Chaoyue, who can speak well, can be regarded as helpless, but fortunately, Qi Suzao next to him attaches great importance to Wu Chaoyue, hurriedly stopped the errand officer, and then said to the banner general: "General Xiang, although Wu Chaoyue's words are a bit offended, but he is also reasonable, after all, he is a court official, and he is a local general who was transferred by Lu Zhitai to help suppress him, and he is qualified to express his opinion on the war, so let's give him a chance to speak." ”

Qi Suzao's brother is the current chief military aircraft Qi Liaozao, and the banner generals know this very well, so they closed their mouths and did not insist on letting the messenger beat Wu Chaoyue out with a stick. Qi Suzao hurriedly glanced at Wu Chaoyue again, Wu Chaoyue understood, and then turned to Lu Jianying and said: "Lu Zhitai, the official position is low, and he is not qualified to intercede for Lord Hui. However, the lower officials believe that at present, the rebellion is rampant, the thief army is about to march under the city of Jiangning, and when the imperial court is employing people, it will immediately punish Hui Daren and put him in prison, which is a waste of talent. If he is allowed to participate in the defense of the city, he will definitely be able to help my Qing Dynasty soldiers quickly become familiar with the military tactics and combat habits of the rebellion, and avoid many detours. Therefore, the lower officials suggested that the Lord of Taiwan might as well give him a chance to make meritorious service and atone for his sins, so as to show the generosity and benevolence of the Qing court. ”

Wuhu fiasco, Hui Zheng is actually the black pot for Lu Jianying's back, which Lu Jianying knows very well in his heart, this will of course Lu Jianying want to push Hui Zheng out directly and cut it with a knife, killing people and killing people will never be troubled in the future. But after all, Hui Zheng is a four-grade Dao platform, and he is barely a relative of the emperor, so the impact of directly cutting it is not too small. And that banner general is not a good stubble, he is the only Jiangning general in Jiangning City who is of the same grade as Lu Jianying, Xianghou, he just opened his mouth to take Hui Zheng down and detain him, and then ask for the holy ruling, if Lu Jianying will ask Hui Zheng directly, Xianghou will inevitably suspect that there is a problem, and then investigate the inside story in detail......

After thinking about it and weighing the pros and cons for a long time, Lu Jianying finally nodded and said, "Okay, if you think about the military salary that Hui Zheng brought back ten thousand taels of silver, this governor will give him a chance to make meritorious service and atone for his sins." Hui Zheng, you get up, you lose the city and land, this governor will ask the emperor to adjudicate the matter, before that, you stay in Jiangning City to help with military affairs, and strive for meritorious service and atonement. ”

After that, Lu Jianying hummed in his heart again: "If you are smart, you will honestly carry all the black cauldron of Wuhu's defeat, otherwise the old man will give you an order to go out of the city to requisition grain and grass, and deliberately let you take the road controlled by Changmao!" ”

Hui Zheng, who didn't know Lu Jianying's real intentions, was overjoyed, and hurriedly kowtowed to Lu Jianying to thank him, and thanked Wu Chaoyue in a low voice who had the letter to help him intercede. Lu Jianying also remembered to ask Wu Chaoyue at this time: "Chief Wu, how many Lian Yong have you brought this time?" ”

"One battalion, five hundred bravery." Wu Chaoyue replied truthfully: "This is all the troops under the command of Xia Guan. ”

"Why is it so?"

Lu Jianying complained in a low voice, then lowered his head to look at the Jiangning defense map in front of him, and planned to arrange the Shanghai regiment training there. ”

"No way!" The banner man general who was full of meat before immediately objected, and said: "Jubaomen is the first important city gate in Jiangning, and if you come from the east, the first thing to attack is Jubaomen. Can't let him help defend the Treasure Gate! ”

Not to mention, Wu Chaoyue is really grateful for the opinion of this banner general-Wu Chaoyue is a hundred reluctant to be assigned to the front line to fight hard with the main force of the Taiping Army. And when Qi Suzao was arguing with the general of the banner people, Lu Jianying also made up his mind, waved his hand and said: "General Xiang, Youzhang, don't fight, let Chief Wu take the Songjiang regiment to Shence Gate, there are only two hundred green battalions and five hundred Xiangyong, and the troops are too scarce and need to be reinforced." ”

"Divine Gate?" Qi Suzao wanted to vomit blood a little, and hurriedly said: "Lu Zhitai, next to the Shence Gate is Xuanwu Lake, the location is relatively remote, and the possibility of launching a strong attack there is very small, wouldn't it be too wasteful to place the elite division under the command of Chief Wu there?" Even if you don't want him to help guard the Treasure Gate, you should at least place him at the Yifeng Gate facing the dock, right? ”

Wu Chaoyue's good impression of Qi Suzao immediately turned bad, but fortunately, Lu Jianying didn't listen to this persuasion, shook his head and said: "No need, let Chief Wu lead the Songjiang regiment to practice and help guard the Shence Gate, and then make adjustments after watching the development of the war." Director Wu, you immediately lead the men and horses of your headquarters to Shence Gate, meet up with the garrison Geng Huan stationed there, and listen to his orders. ”

Wu Chaoyue happily agreed, and Lu Jianying pointed at Hui Zheng again and said: "Hui Zheng, you go and hand over the military salary you brought back first, and then continue to help with the grain station and make meritorious atonements." ”

Hui Zheng was also busy agreeing to the promise, but Qi Suzao on the side was so angry that he stomped his feet, and casually found an excuse to go out with Wu Chaoyue, and then grabbed Wu Chaoyue and said in a low voice: "Director Wu, Lu Zhitai has no eyes, and he refuses to entrust you with a heavy responsibility, which makes you feel wronged, but don't worry, I will definitely find a way to persuade him to change his mind and give you more opportunities to serve the country." Before that, you must be ready to be transferred to the war at any time, once the other gates of Jiangning City are in an emergency, I will do my best to persuade Lu Zhitai to transfer you to the war, and give you the opportunity to serve the court and show your skills. ”

Wu Chaoyue agreed and thanked him, but hummed in his heart: "I don't need you to do much, the more Lu Jianying doesn't reuse me, and the more he places me in a remote place, the more I like it." ”