(Tomorrow's Qingming Festival, I have to go to the countryside for a trip and try to come back to update.) Pen "Fun" Pavilion www.biquge.info another: a thousand chapters, ho ho ho! ）

Wang Yuan rode a big black horse and walked on the streets of Yangzhou City, accompanied by several Cui family nurses. After eating a full stomach, bathing and changing clothes, and getting a good night's sleep, Wang Yuan was refreshed and energetic.

On the street leading to the north of the city, there are really a lot of people. The excitement of last night's battle continued until this morning, and the entire Yangzhou city was encouraged by last night's victory, and everyone's mouth was talking about last night's battle. Many of the people who participated in the killing of the enemy were foaming at the mouth of their mouths and telling about their bravery last night, attracting the surrounding people to watch with envious and adoring eyes.

"Hey, you're excited. On the west pier, Chen Jiabalang and Li Jiashilang and I were watching the battle, and countless rebels floated in the river. They all wanted to climb ashore, and Chen Balang and Li Shilang and I saw it really and immediately shouted. Suddenly, everyone poured out. When Lao Tzu went home and fetched a harpoon, the thieves were about to swim to the shore, and Lao Tzu threw a harpoon, hitting a heavenly spirit cover. Immediately he was stuffed in the water, and the harpoon with Lao Tzu sank. Damn, it's really enjoyable. My throw can really be called steady and ruthless, Lao Tzu Wang Xiaowu's spearfish skills for so many years are not for rice. I can fork the river dragons in the river to death, let alone these thieves? ”

"Hey, the little fifth brother is really amazing. But when your harpoon is gone, aren't you doing nothing? ”

"Phew, what's that? The harpoons were gone, and there were stones and bricks, and after one of my forks died, everyone was not afraid, and the sticks and stones were smashed indiscriminately, and the thieves who smashed them cried and called their mothers. The sixty-year-old woman behind our house, Aunt Ma, smashed a thief with a clothes-pounding stick. She was also lucky, and she happened to hit the thief's temple, and the thief immediately rolled his eyes and went down the river. Either frozen to death or drowned, in short, the river dragons and fish and turtles in the river had another good meal. ”

"Tsk, it's really envious. I was going to come to see it last night, but my mother-in-law refused to let me out, and it was very annoying to cry and cry. I missed this great opportunity. Fuck. Looking back, I will teach this mother-in-law a lesson, and the people of the whole city are contributing to the defense of the city, but Lao Tzu is hiding at home and trembling like a turtle with a shrunken head. Just think about it. ”

"Hahaha, brother, don't be discouraged. Maybe there's a chance later. But if you continue to fight like this, it is estimated that the thieves will not dare to attack again, for fear that you will never have a chance again. That Wang Xiangguo is too powerful, last night he single-handedly entered the thief formation, killing seven in and seven out. He killed dozens of people alone, and everyone looked stupid. This morning, the bald third man in the army said that he killed more than 10,000 thieves last night. Think about it, with such a powerful person as Wang Xiangguo in charge, yesterday he destroyed dozens of ships of thieves and killed nearly 20,000 thieves, and the thieves dared to attack again? Brother, I feel sorry for you, if you don't do it, you really won't have a chance. Hahaha. ”

"Hot mother, it's really depressed and tight. When I turn around, I will scold my mother-in-law severely, doesn't this make me unable to raise my head in the future? ”

“……”

There was a lot of discussion on the streets, all about the killing of the enemy last night, and all kinds of rumors about Wang Yuan. Wang Yuan rode through the streets, and no one recognized him at first, but soon some sharp-eyed people recognized Wang Yuan.

"Isn't it Wang Xiangguo? Let's see, if I'm blind. A citizen pointed to the back of Wang Yuan and his entourage.

"It seems like it's really, yes, yes, it's him. The sword, the big dark horse, who is he not? The rest of the people immediately confirmed his suspicion, and for a time there was a commotion in the streets, and the people ran after Wang Yuan's horse. In a moment, Wang Yuan and his entourage were surrounded by the people.

"Wang Xiangguo, Wang Xiangguo." The people shouted.

Wang Yuan smiled and said, "The villagers have worked hard. ”

"It's really Wang Xiangguo, hahaha, Wang Xiangguo fought beautifully yesterday, the thieves and soldiers he killed are full of fart, Wang Xiangguo is really a famous commander of my Tang Dynasty. The thief soldier met Wang Xiangguo, but he fell into blood mold, haha. ”

Wang Yuan smiled and said, "It's not my credit, it's everyone's credit." Last night, the people also killed thousands of enemies, and I will send a commendation for this. The people of Yangzhou have made great contributions. Wang Yuan would like to thank everyone. ”

"Hahaha, did you hear me, you want to reward us." The people who participated in the retreat last night were even more joyful, and the people who did not catch up were even more regretful.

"Wang Xiangguo, do the thieves still dare to attack? I'm afraid the thieves are about to flee. Someone shouted.

Wang Yuan said loudly: "They won't run, don't underestimate the enemy." They have no way out, and there is still a bitter battle ahead. Everyone, take care of your spirits, maybe there will be a hard fight tonight. Always, our army and people are united, no matter whether the thieves attack or retreat, we in Yangzhou must stand still and not give them any chance. ”

"It's very true, with Wang Xiangguo here, we are not afraid of anything." The people shouted, and as soon as the people who didn't catch up with last night's battle heard that they might still participate in the killing of the enemy, they suddenly came to their senses one by one, and shouted more vigorously than anything else.

Wang Yuan smiled all the way, and rushed to the Beicheng checkpoint surrounded by the people on the street, and the people could not enter the street checkpoint, but only shouted after the checkpoint. Wang Yuan laughed and rode his horse under the city gate.

The Yangzhou defenders above and below the city tower saw Wang Yuan's arrival and saluted solemnly. Last night's battle really showed Wang Xiangguo's ability. Last night, many people actually thought that the city would be broken, and they were already disheartened. But under Wang Yuan's command, the war took a dramatic turn. Not only was the city not broken, but a large number of enemy troops were annihilated, which made everyone throw themselves to the ground for Wang Yuan's admiration.

It was not because of Wang Yuan's behavior of rushing into the enemy group and killing the enemy bravely, which really boosted morale, but what reflected Wang Yuan's wisdom was actually the decision to use the enemy's burning boat to block the entrance to the river. It was that flash of wisdom that made it impossible for the enemy to continue to enter the city and completely turn the tide of the battle. And this seemingly simple flash of inspiration requires years of experience in the war and judging the situation to do.

Under the attention of all the soldiers, Wang Yuan ascended the city tower. Cui Daoyuan, Shen Zifang and others were on the city wall, and when they saw Wang Yuan coming to the city, Cui Daoyuan got up from the big chair and said with a smile: "Wang Xiangguo, why are you here?" Why don't you take a break? It's never too late to come back in the afternoon, you need to rest more, and there will be an all-night battle tonight. ”

Wang Yuan smiled and said, "Cui Weng, how do you tell me to sleep in this situation?" My heart isn't that big. ”

Cui Daoyuan stroked his beard and smiled: "That's what I said." ”

Shen Zifang stepped forward and said with a smile: "Xiangguo's battle last night was really shocking, and the people of the whole city were talking about it. Wang Xiangguo is now a household name in my Yangzhou city, and without you in charge, the consequences will be unimaginable. On behalf of the people of Yangzhou, Xia Guan gave Xiangguo a big gift and thanks. ”

Shen Zifang said that he was about to make a big salute, but Wang Yuan hurriedly waved his hand to stop it. He didn't bother to talk to this guy, and after a few perfunctory words, he walked to the battlements. He asked, "What is the movement of the enemy army?" ”

"There haven't been too many changes. It seems that they have been abandoning their boats and going ashore since morning. Don't know what they're going to do? Zeng Guozhong reported.

Wang Yuan squinted his eyes and looked at the river below the city, and saw that the enemy ship formation in the distance seemed to be approaching the west bank. Groups of soldiers and horses are heading to the shore on large and small ships, and all kinds of supplies are being carried to the shore.

"Xiangguo, do you know what they are doing? Could it be that you don't plan to attack the city, and you can't evacuate if you are ready to evacuate? Cui Daoyuan asked in a deep voice.

Wang Yuan frowned before he could speak, Shen Zifang smiled and said: "They must be fleeing, they can't escape from the river against the wind and current, they can only evacuate by land." According to the lower officials, nine times out of ten, they are going to escape. Yesterday, in one day, they lost more than 50 warships and 20,000 soldiers and horses. ”

Wang Yuan shouted in a deep voice: "Shen Taishou, don't talk about it. ”

Shen Zifang was stunned for a moment, and said embarrassedly: "What? Could it be that the judgment of the lower officials is wrong? ”

Wang Yuan frowned and said, "How could they escape?" Where can they flee? The rebels made a desperate gamble to abandon the north and attack the southeast, in order to open up a situation in the southeast. Now that they are going to flee, will they not have lost all their efforts? They have not been able to go south, and they have lost everything in the north, and they have no way to retreat. The only thing that can turn the situation around is to take Yangzhou City, how can you retreat easily? Don't talk nonsense, so as not to disturb the hearts of the army and the people. ”

"Exactly, Shen Taishou, don't talk nonsense. Anyway, have the brothers who died and injured last night been settled? Can the corpses of enemy soldiers salvaged from the river be buried? That's what you're supposed to do, so don't get involved in defending the city here. Cui Daoyuan also frowned.

Shen Zifang's face was ashamed, he didn't know what to do, but he always felt happier by Xiangguo and Cui Daoyuan's side. It will be very useful to get acquainted with the two of them in the future. Doing things with one mind is not his Shen Zifang's style. Shen Zifang silently stepped aside, not daring to speak anymore, he had already arranged for others to do those things, and he didn't want to leave.

"Xiangguo, in your opinion, what kind of calculation are the rebels hauling?" Cui Daoyuan asked.

Wang Yuan thought for a while and said, "Cui Weng, why haven't your five thousand reinforcements arrived yet?" Didn't you say it was supposed to be last night? ”

Cui Daoyuan said: "I must arrive before noon, because the boat was requisitioned to transport the people across the Jiangpu ferry, so they arrived half a day late, and the old man had already sent someone to urge." The leader is the son of my Cui family, and there will be no difference. ”

Wang Yuan nodded and said, "That's good, we must do it as soon as possible." Yesterday it seemed like a great victory, but our defenders also suffered heavy losses, with more than 4,000 dead and wounded. There were only more than 10,000 soldiers and horses in total, and this battle was lost by forty percent, so it is difficult to say that last night's battle was a victory. The rebels still have more than 60,000 people, and 6,000 defend 60,000, but that still can't be done. Your 5,000 soldiers and horses must arrive today, or you won't be able to get through tonight. ”

Cui Daoyuan nodded and said: "What Xiangguo said is very true, he will arrive before noon." ”

Wang Yuan said: "After the five thousand soldiers and horses arrived, they went directly to the West City to guard. ”

Cui Daoyuan was stunned and said, "You mean, the rebels are going to attack the West Gate?" ”

Wang Yuan said: "The rebels suffered a big loss yesterday, and dozens of ships were damaged, and it would be too stupid for them to attack from the water again." That's why their soldiers and horses abandoned their boats and went ashore, and naturally they were going to attack by land. They came ashore from the west bank of the canal, naturally to attack the west gate. The terrain outside the West City Gate is flat, and it is indeed a good place to attack. Actually, my biggest concern was that they would attack by land, because that would take advantage of their superior forces. And when attacking from the water, they are actually limiting their own offensive ability. If there is more one person in the land attack, there will be more pressure on one person, and tens of thousands of soldiers and horses will attack in one fell swoop, and our disadvantage of having few troops and few bows and arrows will be exposed. ”

Cui Daoyuan frowned and said, "Xiangguo has a good plan?" ”

Wang Yuan shook his head and said, "I don't have a good way, I just stick to one way." If they attack from the western city, the garrison and the city defenses will probably be strengthened immediately. Cui Weng, we need to start preparing now, or we may be caught off guard. ”

Cui Daoyuan smacked his lips and said, "It seems that Xiangguo is very worried, but is it too late now?" ”

Wang Yuan said: "One point of reinforcement is one point, and the rebels will not attack immediately, they come from the waterway, and there are no siege equipment." It would take them at least half a day to build some ladders and carts before they could start the siege. We still have a little time to prepare. Without further ado, let's not take chances, and immediately mobilize manpower to start preparing. ”

Cui Daoyuan nodded again and again, and immediately beckoned Shen Zifang. Shen Zifang came over happily, thinking that there was something good, but after listening to Cui Daoyuan's retelling of Wang Yuan's words just now, Shen Zifang's face turned pale. "No, how could they attack Simon so well?"

Cui Daoyuan frowned and reprimanded: "Shen Taishou, this is not to discuss with you, this is to ask you to immediately recruit the people to do it, but not to listen to your opinion." Just go. ”

Shen Zifang had no choice but to take the order.

In the early afternoon, the rebels, who were under close surveillance, proved that Wang Yuan's judgment was not unfounded. After a large number of rebel soldiers and horses came ashore from the boat, they began to reorganize their soldiers and horses and set off outside the west city of Yangzhou. Before the end of the day, about 50,000 rebels set up camp on the side of a hill called Gongdeshan outside the western city, and then tens of thousands of soldiers began to cut down trees like locusts and build siege equipment such as ladders.

Although there are not many suitable trees in the Jianghuai land, they are all willow and locust trees and other trees that do not fit the creation, but there is one thing that gives the rebels too much convenience, and that is the bamboo that is everywhere in the mountains and forests. Although bamboo cannot be used as a raw material for large siege equipment, it is perfect as a material for building siege ladders, and it does not take too much effort to harvest bamboo.

Those tall and straight bamboos were dragged down the mountain in bundles, and the soldiers did not need to have good construction skills, and it was too simple and convenient to make ladders from the bamboo. Before dark, the rebels easily made five or six hundred ladders, and made bamboo rafts for building siege pontoons.

In the face of such active siege preparations by the rebels, the soldiers and civilians of Yangzhou were certainly not idle. And in the afternoon, the west city wall of Yangzhou also began to strengthen the city wall. At first, only a few people and soldiers participated, but soon the news that the rebels were going to attack the western city spread throughout the city, and tens of thousands of civilians spontaneously threw themselves into the work of fortifying the walls. After yesterday's great victory, the morale of the Yangzhou army and people was high and full of enthusiasm, they believed that this time the rebel attack on land would also be thwarted, and they believed that under the leadership of Wang Yuan, Yangzhou City would be as stable as Mount Tai. Therefore, they not only invested great enthusiasm and labor, but also unloaded their own door and bed boards as plywood to strengthen the city wall, and donated their bow and arrow weapons used in fishing and hunting to the Yangzhou defenders as weapons to defend the city. Not only that, thousands of strong men spontaneously asked to join the army to participate in the defense of the city.

In the face of the enthusiasm of the people, Wang Yuan was also very encouraged and grateful. But Wang Yuan also knew that defending the city was not as simple as relying on the enthusiasm of the people. This defense is very different from the surface defense of the North City. Defending on the water can be done with a variety of extraordinary means, but sieges on land are often very variable. In addition to the tall and sturdy hardware of the city walls, it is necessary to have sufficient garrison troops and sophisticated defense equipment. Neither of these seems to be available at the moment. Yangzhou City has not experienced war for a long time, the prosperity and prosperity of this city has nothing to do with the city defense, it relies on the unique geographical location, the integration of convenient water and land transportation to have today's prosperity. But these advantages do not hide its weaknesses in the city's defense. It's like a naturally beautiful woman, although her status is noble and her temperament is outstanding, but those can't keep her chastity when she encounters a strong man. Because she is not wearing armor, holding a sharp blade, and she does not have the martial arts to defend against the enemy.

Although the people have invested great enthusiasm and a lot of manpower to strengthen the city wall, Yangzhou City is too big, and the city wall of the big city with a radius of more than ten miles is not what kind of height the low city wall can be increased in half a day. In view of this, Wang Yuanzhi was able to retreat to the next best thing, and he asked the people to strengthen the low places on the western city wall, focusing on the fortifications on both sides of the city gate. In addition, as on the north city gate, Wang Yuan asked the people to build something like an arrow tower platform in each section of the city wall. These platforms, which are higher than the city walls, can be used as fortresses when defending the city, and play a certain role in strong resistance.

The city defense is not strong enough, and the manpower of the defenders is even more stretched. Originally, there were only more than 10,000 Yangzhou defenders who were pieced together, but after yesterday's battle, more than 4,000 people were reduced, and only 6,000 of the remaining available defenders remained. These 6,000 people must leave at least 3,000 people to defend in Beicheng, because there are still more than 10,000 rebels eyeing the Beicheng, and in order to prevent the rebels from attacking Beicheng again, it is necessary to have the most basic manpower to ensure that Beicheng does not have problems. Then there are only 3,000 men who can be transferred to the West City defense, which is of course far from enough.

The good news is that 5,000 reinforcements from Jiangnan finally arrived at noon, plus more than 3,000 enlisted strong men who were temporarily conscripted, so barely formed a garrison of more than 10,000 people. But even with more than 10,000 troops defending the city, there were less than 3,000 bows and arrows necessary to defend the city. This also greatly weakened the defensive ability of the defenders.

Wang Yuan had no other way, he could only let people transport more stones and rolling wood to the city, although in Wang Yuan's mind, he had long disdained to use these primitive means of defending the city, but at this time, he had to use them.

……

It was getting dark. However, inside and outside the west city of Yangzhou, the lights are bright and the voices are boiling. The soldiers and civilians of Yangzhou are still using the last time to build fortifications and move the materials to defend the city, but the rebels under the city have already dispatched a formation when they come, which is to attack the city overnight.

The end of the unitary time. Dozens of cavalry horses in the rebel formation lined up, holding torches high and slowly approaching the city. Before entering the range of bows and arrows at the head of the city, more than a dozen people shouted in unison towards the head of the city.

"Listen, the people in the city, before the army of my Great Yan Kingdom attacked the city, Prime Minister Yan of my Great Yan Kingdom wanted to say a few words to the guards of the city. Ask the castle guard to come and speak. ”

The soldiers in the city listened to it and hurriedly reported it to Wang Yuan. Wang Yuan rushed to the top of the city tower and ordered people to shout to the lower ones, agreeing to let them come forward to speak.

Dozens of horsemen slowly approached, approaching within a hundred paces of the city. Yan Zhuang wore a black robe and scarf, rode on a tall horse, and slowly came out of the crowd. Several rebel guards around him held shields to protect him, fearing that the city would launch arrows and surprise attacks.

"Wang Yuan, you and I are old friends, and when you see your old friends, why don't you show up and reminisce about the past? Those who dodge and don't come to see the old man, this is a bit petty. Yan Zhuang raised his head and shouted towards the city. Although the head of the city was full of torches, others were dazzled, but they didn't see clearly that Wang Yuan was standing on the city tower.

"Mr. Yan, I, Wang Yuan, am here, I didn't dodge, Mr. Yan is not good at all. Wang Yuan was polite. Wang Yuan waved his hand and shouted.

Although Yan Zhuang couldn't see Wang Yuan's face clearly, as soon as Wang Yuan spoke, he heard that it was Wang Yuan's voice. So he smiled and saluted: "You are really in Yangzhou, I heard others talk about it before, and the old man still didn't believe it." Wang Yuan, don't come unharmed. ”

Wang Yuan said with a smile: "Mr. Yan pays so much attention to me, it seems that he will never forget my Wang Yuan." Do you and I have such a deep friendship? ”

Yan Zhuang sneered: "Although you and I only have a few faces, but for Wang Xiangguo, how can Yan Zhuang forget." But I'm not obsessed with you. It's just that wherever Wang Xiangguo goes, where is he not able to live in peace, the old man just didn't expect to meet you again in Yangzhou. You're in Yan's way again. ”

Wang Yuan laughed and said: "Where don't we meet at the end of the world." It seems that Mr. Yan is very unhappy to see me again in Yangzhou. That's no way, I, Wang Yuan, am not a pleasant person. Mr. Yan came to Yangzhou with so many soldiers and horses, what is this for? Do you want to go to Jiangnan to fight the autumn breeze? To go to the land south of the Yangtze River, you must first get the consent of yourself and the military and people of Yangzhou. I'm very annoyed that you're running around like this. ”

Yan Zhuang said coldly: "Wang Xiangguo, you don't have to be complacent too early. Don't think that with your little ability, you can stop the footsteps of my army. Although we lost some soldiers and horses in yesterday's battle, what was that? We must take Yangzhou City. ”

Wang Yuan spread his hands and smiled: "Mr. Yan, of course I know that you are bound to win. Because you can't take Yangzhou, you'll be finished. But your heart to win Yangzhou is very strong, and our heart to defend Yangzhou is also very strong. We don't need to say much, it's true. The dry of the gun is. ”

Yan Zhuang shouted coldly: "Do you think the old man is here to show weakness to you? The old man is going to storm Yangzhou tonight, and he will not stop until he takes Yangzhou City. It's just that we were old acquaintances, and the old man has a few inner words to tell you. The night was long, the hour was still early, and it couldn't be delayed for long. ”

Wang Yuan laughed and shouted, "Okay, even so, I can't be rude." If you can't set tea and respect each other, you can only listen to it. Please speak. ”