"Cui Weng. Pen & Fun & Pavilion www.biquge.info Regarding the attack of the rebels, since Miss Yu has already reported it to you, then I dare to ask Cui Weng to help. The situation will soon become urgent, otherwise I would not have rushed to Yangzhou in the starry night. I also hope that Cui Weng can preside over the overall situation. Wang Yuan said in a deep voice.

Cui Daoyuan smiled and said: "The old man came to Yangzhou from the starry night in Jiangning, what do you think?" Your request has already been told to me. It was nothing more than assembling ships to transport the people of several counties in Chuzhou to Jiangning at the Jiangpu wharf for resettlement. ”

Wang Yuanxi said: "That's right. Is there a problem with Cui Weng? ”

Cui Daoyuan squinted at Wang Yuan and said, "There is nothing that can't be done in front of my Cui family." When the people arrived at the Jiangpu wharf, there would be a boat to transport them to Jiangning for resettlement. Captain Wang doesn't have to worry about this. I'll order someone to arrange it properly. ”

Wang Yuan stood up and respectfully bowed his hand and said, "In Xiati, the people of several counties in Chu Prefecture thank Cui Weng for his help. ”

Cui Daoyuan frowned and said: "Captain Wang, what you said is a little strange, my Cui family is based in the southeast, and my Cui family should contribute to the affairs of the people in the southeast, but I want you to thank me for them." Do you think my Cui clan is rich and unkind? This year alone, my Cui family has taken out hundreds of thousands of stone grains and half sold them and sent them to the people for relief, don't you know? ”

Wang Yuan hurriedly said: "Cui Weng is not strange, he is just expressing his gratitude, and he has no other meaning." ”

Cui Daoyuan waved his hand and said, "That's it." Then the second thing is nothing more than how to defend against the enemy. What does Captain Wang think? ”

Wang Yuan said: "I think that we must block the rebels' southward march in Yangzhou, and we must hold Yangzhou no matter what." Otherwise, once the rebels enter the Yangtze River, they can attack from east to west along the river, or continue to go south to endanger Suzhou and Hangzhou. At that point, it will be out of control. Yangzhou is at the confluence of the canal and the Yangtze River, and holding here can force them to stop in the north of the Yangtze River, which is extremely beneficial to the overall situation. ”

Cui Daoyuan laughed and said, "Although you are only a captain, your plan is very appropriate. Holding Yangzhou can indeed bring the situation under control. However, it is reported that there are 70,000 or 80,000 rebels, do you think Yangzhou can hold it? ”

Wang Yuan said in a deep voice: "I don't know, I don't know how many soldiers and horses there are in Yangzhou, and I haven't seen how Yangzhou's city defense is, and I don't know the attitude of Cui Weng and the soldiers and civilians in Yangzhou." However, he believes that Yangzhou must be defended, and it must be held at any cost. Otherwise, the South will suffer, and we cannot afford it. Once the rebels enter Jiangnan, they will run rampant, and by then they will be out of control. ”

Cui Daoyuan said: "You don't have to tell me the harm of the fall of Jiangnan repeatedly, the old man knows better than you." What I can tell you is that there are less than 7,000 soldiers and horses in Yangzhou City now. The city defense is like that, and it doesn't necessarily look very strong, you tell me how to defend it? ”

Wang Yuan frowned and said, "Seven thousand people are indeed too few, and it is difficult to face a tenfold enemy. But no matter how difficult it is, you have to defend it, and you have to defend it even if you fight for your life. As for how to defend it, it will be decided after inspecting the city defense tomorrow. But without the determination to persevere, nothing is empty talk. ”

"You little lieutenant doesn't have a small tone. You have to guard 7,000 people, do you think you are a martial artist? Yangzhou people are two or three hundred thousand, you take Yangzhou as a bet, and you can't take these hundreds of thousands of lives as a bet? Once the city is broken, are you responsible for the lives of 200,000 or 300,000 people in Yangzhou? Can you afford it? Cui Daoyuan's second son, Cui Yuanping, couldn't help but interject, he was already disgusted by the unashamed words of this little captain.

Wang Yuan arched his hand and said: "Shibo, I don't want to bet on the people of Yangzhou, but the current situation does not allow us to retreat." Most of the battles for defending cities have been experienced a lot, and most of them are not broken by the disparity in military strength, but because the defenders are not strong-willed. The so-called unity, the most feared is that the guards are afraid of the head and tail, looking forward and looking back. The plain guards Yan Zhenqing for eight months and stands tall, you must have heard of this. It depends on the unity of the whole and the city. ”

Cui Yuanbo shook his head slowly and said, "Take it for granted, take it for granted." The timing and strength of defending the city this time are too different from Yan Zhenqing's defense of the city. ”

Wang Yuan nodded and said, "What I said is that in the case of too much disparity in strength, the city will be broken." However, the battle of defending the city is not confined to the siege of the city, but also includes many special means. For example, taking the initiative to attack the camp, such as using the terrain to harass and encroach. In the battle of the rebels attacking Shu last year, under the city of Tongzhou, the 180,000 rebels faced the 60,000 defenders of the Shence Army, what was the result? Everyone thought that Tongzhou would be broken, but the Shence army still used various means to defeat it. Although the rebels are large in their numbers at the moment, it should not be forgotten that they arrived in a hurry by boat and could not carry large siege equipment, so they did not have enough means to break the city in a short time. And as long as we hold on for about half a month, the army of the Shence Army will move south, and then the rebels will be broken. What we have to do is hold on no matter what, until the arrival of the Divine Army. ”

The seat was silent, and several members of the Cui family were shocked by Wang Yuan's tone and momentum when he said this, as if the person standing in front of him was not a small captain, but like a general who looked down on the world. When he said this, it seemed that the defense of the city was not hopeless. Cui Ruoyu looked at Wang Yuan with sparkling eyes, and she suddenly found that the Captain Wang in front of her was full of confidence and domineering, with a sharp edge. The whole person is like a bright javelin.

"Captain Wang, I have to say that your words moved the old man. The old man suddenly felt that there was something to be done. I hope you are not Zhao Kuo on paper, you have to think clearly, this matter is related to the safety of the people in Yangzhou, if Yangzhou can't hold it at all, it's still too late to evacuate the people. Cui Daoyuan stroked his beard.

Wang Yuan smiled and said: "Anything is risky, and no one dares to pack a ticket and say that they will be able to defend until the arrival of the Shence Army." But everything needs to be done to know the outcome, and no one can predict the future. I can only say that even if Yangzhou is broken by the rebels, I will die here with the soldiers and civilians of Yangzhou. That's the only guarantee I can make. ”

Cui Yuanping shouted in a deep voice: "What's the use of you dying?" Didn't the soldiers and civilians of Yangzhou all accompany you to death. It's ridiculous. ”

Wang Yuan said in a deep voice: "Of course, my life is not valuable, but the significance of sticking to Yangzhou is to protect more people in the south." The land of tens of millions of people in the south, half of the Tang Dynasty is rich, if it is captured by the rebels, what kind of situation will it be. How many more people will have to die after this to quell the rebellion? In contrast, even if Yangzhou City is broken and tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians die, it is worth it. In any case, we can always hold back the rebels from moving south, giving the Shence Army more time to catch up with the rebels. Then even if it is in harmony with the city, it will make sense. ”

"Well said!" Cui Daoyuan laughed loudly and said: "These words came out of the mouth of a school captain, and the old man really taught the old man to look at you with admiration." There is a figure like you in the Shence Army, and you are a small captain, and the old man really believes in the rumors that the Shence Army is strict in discipline and invincible. ”

Wang Yuan smiled and said, "Then Cui Weng means to agree to my suggestion?" ”

Cui Daoyuan laughed and said: "The old man has long been ready to defend Yangzhou, otherwise what do you think the old man came here from Jiangning?" Tomorrow, the old man will go with you to see Yangzhou Taishou and discuss the plan to defend against the enemy. But if you have a clear conscience, why don't you care about the success or failure of the ending. Captain Wang, don't worry. The defenders of Yangzhou were far more than 7,000. Tomorrow you will be able to see the reinforcement from Jiangnan. ”

……

Coming out of Cui Daoyuan's study, it was already the waning moon slanting westward. In the quiet night, there was the sound of rooster crowing, which should have been after the fourth watch. A servant took Wang Yuan to the guest room to rest, Wang Yuan was actually not sleepy, but he still had to stare for a while, although he was mentally excited, but after a day of running and a night of tossing, Wang Yuan's body was really tired.

When he arrived at the guest room, a servant thoughtfully prepared hot water for Wang Yuan to bathe, Wang Yuan happily took a hot bath and got into the quilt, and after a while, he fell asleep in a daze.

I don't know how long it took, Wang Yuan was awakened by the movement outside. The dawn outside the window is beginning to appear, and the window edges are white. It's dawn. Wang Yuan hurriedly sat up and dressed, and found that his clothes and armor were gone. This is no small surprise. Wang Yuan stretched out his hand and grabbed his waist card and long sword in his hand, these two things were sleeping under the pillow, so they were not lost.

Wang Yuan jumped up, wrapped in a sheet and walked out of the room, holding a long sword in his hand and coming to the porch. Suddenly, I saw a few wet clothes hanging under the corridor, which were my own clothes, and I was immediately confused.

A servant came over when he heard the movement, and when he saw Wang Yuan holding a sword wrapped in a sheet, he couldn't help but smile and said, "Captain Wang, who are you?" ”

Wang Yuan frowned and pointed to the wet clothes and said, "What's going on?" How did my clothes get here? ”

The servant suddenly laughed, "Oh? It turned out to be because of this. That's right, early in the morning, the eldest lady ordered someone to bring new cotton clothes and armor to Captain Wang, and ordered us to help you wash and dry your dirty clothes. The villain went to fetch your dirty clothes, and when he saw that you were snoring, he did not disturb you. Aren't clean clothes on your bedside table? ”

Wang Yuan said speechlessly: "Is it the clothes sent by your eldest lady?" ”

"yes. My eldest lady is so kind to Captain Wang, I have never seen her so good to any guest. Captain Wang, go and get dressed, the mother-in-law and maidservants in the guest room come and go, isn't it inappropriate to see you naked? The servant covered his mouth and laughed.

Wang Yuan looked down and saw that he was exposing his thighs and arms, which was indeed unorthodox. hurriedly took three steps and two steps back to the room, and sure enough, I saw a pile of clothes neatly folded at the head of the bed. There was also a brand new pair of chain mail on the coat rack.

Wang Yuan picked up the clothes, and there was a faint fragrance on them, like the fragrance on Cui Ruoyu's body. I can't help but wonder in my heart that this dress is the clothes worn by Cui Ruoyu. Didn't Cui Ruoying say that she often wears men's clothes? Maybe that's what she's wearing. After thinking about it for a while, he put on his clothes, a brand-new middle coat and pants, a jacket, and a small jacket outside, and then put on the armor, and suddenly the whole person was much more energetic. Hanging the long sword on his waist, holding the waist card in his arms, and casually tiring his hair bun, Wang Yuan strode out of the guest room and went straight to the front hall.

In the front house of the Cui family, several servants were wiping tables and chairs in the hall, and there were also many servants in the courtyard who were busy sweeping the courtyard. Wang Yuan stepped forward directly, called a servant, and asked him to bring his mount, planning to take advantage of the time when the Cui family had not yet risen to go to the north of the city to see the city defense of Yangzhou City.

The servants brought out the black horses, and when Wang Yuan was checking the reins of the saddle in the courtyard and preparing to get on the horse, he heard someone laughing at the door of the hall: "Is Captain Wang going to say goodbye?" ”

Wang Yuan turned his head to look and saw Cui Ruoyu, who was dressed in men's clothes, standing on the steps of the hall door with a smile, looking at himself with his waist crossed.

Wang Yuan hurriedly stepped forward and saluted, "Why did Miss Ruoyu get up so early?" ”

Cui Ruoyu said: "Aren't you quite early?" Where is this going? ”

Wang Yuan said: "I estimate that you will not get up for a while, so I want to go to Beicheng to see the terrain and city defense." Time is pressing, and it's good to look at the city defense. ”

Cui Ruoyu smiled and said, "You are very diligent, I'm afraid you haven't slept all night." ”

Wang Yuan said with a smile: "I am an anxious child, and I can't sleep well if I have something in my heart." I wanted to ask your servant to leave a message, but since Miss Ruoyu is here, I will say goodbye to you in person. Please tell your grandfather and the Cui family a few uncles, and say that they will go to Beicheng first. After seeing the pattern of the city's defense, I went to the Yangzhou Mansion to wait for them to discuss the plan to defend the city. ”

Cui Ruoyu smiled and said, "Let the housekeeper convey this, and I will accompany you to Beicheng." ”

Wang Yuan hurriedly said: "Then why bother? Yesterday was a day of travel, and Miss Ruo Ying was afraid that she was also very tired, so she didn't have to toss. ”

Cui Ruoyu smiled and didn't answer, went straight down the steps to Wang Yuan's side, looked at the brand-new armor Wang Yuan was wearing, and said, "Do the clothes still fit?" ”

Wang Yuan remembered this at this time, and hurriedly thanked him: "It's very comfortable and warm." Thank you for your trouble. ”

Cui Ruoyu nodded and said, "That's fine, I'm still worried that you don't fit." So let's go. Someone, bring me a horse. ”

Wang Yuan hurriedly said: "Does the eldest lady still want to go?" ”

Cui Ruoyu said: "Yangzhou City is so big, do you know the road?" If you want to go to the north city to observe the city defense, will the defenders at the head of the city let you go up? In addition, where is the yamen of Yangzhou Mansion, do you know? ”

Wang Yuan scratched his head and said, "This ......"

Cui Ruoyan smiled and said, "So, I'll be your guide today." I will show you the way, and it will save you from running the wrong road and grinding your mouth. ”

Wang Yuan thought for a while and said, "Okay, then there will be Miss Lao." But does the eldest lady want to ride a horse? Don't you know how to ride a horse? ”

Cui Ruoyu said: "Yesterday, after a day, it will not be three points." We are not in a hurry as we were yesterday, and it is okay to walk slowly. I told them to give me a good horse to walk on. ”

Wang Yuan nodded and smiled, he actually didn't want to dwell on such a trivial matter. And with Cui Ruoying by her side, I am afraid that the road in Yangzhou City is unimpeded. Moreover, I also have a good impression of Cui Ruoyu, and it is also a beautiful thing to have her as a companion.

A moment later, the servants brought in a tall horse covered in jujube. It seemed to be a good and obedient horse, and the saddle was wide and soft, and it was very luxurious. Cui Ruoyu stepped on the low stool brought by the servant and got on the horse. Under Wang Yuan's guidance, Cui Ruoyu, who was a little nervous, quickly mastered the basic essentials of horse riding, and after a few laps in the yard, Cui Ruoyu was able to control the horse to stroll alone. Wang Yuan picked his fingers and praised a few words, Cui Ruoyu pursed his lips and smiled, very happy.

The two of them left the Cui family's mansion and slowly walked east along the lakeside avenue. Soon after, at the end of the embankment, I turned onto a wide long street and turned to the north. In the early morning, the streets are sparsely populated and the long streets are empty and straight. The lanterns in front of the buildings and shops on both sides of the street are still lit, but they don't look very bright because of the bright sky. In the morning mist, many shops were preparing to open, and the sound of young men opening the door panels 'clicked'. Several snack shops are steaming hot, and the faint aroma of food fills the air.

"Captain Wang shouldn't have eaten breakfast yet, do you want to eat something?" The soup on the corner of the street is good, and the bread is delicious. Cui Ruoyu pointed to the steaming place in front of her with a horsewhip.

Wang Yuan was indeed a little hungry, so he nodded and smiled: "Okay, let's eat a bowl." I'm here for a treat. These days, I take care of a lot. ”

Cui Ruoyu glanced at Wang Yuan with a smile and said, "Okay, you just have a treat." ”

Wang Yuan nodded and smiled, thinking: This Cui Ruoyu is also empathetic, although she is a noble girl of a wealthy family, she is not domineering and domineering, and she knows how to be measured. deliberately didn't rush to treat himself with him, but he also gave himself enough face as a little captain.

The two of them rode to the breakfast shop, which was already crowded. Wang Yuan got off the horse and asked for two bowls of hot dumpling soup and a few dough cakes, and the two of them stood at the door of a shop that had not yet opened with the soup bowl and the dough cakes in their hands.

The soup was very delicious, and the bread was also very delicious, Wang Yuan buried his head in a moment and ate all three cakes and drank a bowl of soup. When she looked at Cui Ruoyu again, she only took a few bites of the dough cake and drank a few small bites of the dumpling soup.

"It's delicious, it's delicious. And I have a fight with Aunt Wen's gluttonous soup near my residence in the capital. Wang Yuan wiped his mouth and said.

Cui Ruoyu pursed her lips and smiled: "Look at you like this, it's like you haven't eaten for three days." ”

Wang Yuan said with a smile: "In the past, when we were marching and fighting, sometimes we couldn't eat a mouthful of hot food for several days. So every time I can eat hot rice and soup, I have to eat it cleanly, and I feel that it is not easy to come by. Last year, the people in the north were suffering from cold and hunger, and many people did not have a grain of rice imported for several days. ”

Cui Ruoyu stared at the half bowl of dumpling soup and uneaten dough cake in his hand and said, "It seems that I am too extravagant and wasteful." ”

Wang Yuan smiled and said: "I don't mean to blame you, if you blame the people in the world who are hungry because someone is hungry, it is overkill and too harsh." The more I know that someone is in dire straits, the more people who live in peace and prosperity should cherish what is in front of them, and this is my attitude. Does it mean that everyone is cold and hungry because they have a conscience? That's not right. ”

Cui Ruoyu looked at Wang Yuan with shiny eyes, and said softly: "What you said is really reasonable, you seem to have read a lot of books and understand a lot of truth." I'm a little skeptical that you're a little lieutenant. ”

Wang Yuan laughed and said: "But don't say that, I will be embarrassed." Those words just now were all said by my Wang Dashuai, and I just used them for a while. ”

Cui Ruoyu groaned: "It seems that your Wang Dashuai is really a strange person. ”

Wang Yuan nodded and said, "Yes, yes, it's a pity that he was born too ugly, short and dark-skinned and has two big buckteeth." The eldest lady will be so frightened that she can't sleep at night when she sees him. ”

Cui Ruoyu chirped: "Nonsense, how can this be? But I heard you say that just now, this soup and bread can't be wasted. But I couldn't eat it. ”

Wang Yuan stretched out his hand and said, "I'll eat it, I still have a stomach." ”

Cui Ruoying frowned and said, "But ......"

"But what? I don't dislike you. Wang Yuan grabbed the half bowl of dumpling soup and ate and drank it, ate a few breads cleanly, patted his stomach and smiled: "It's okay now, it's all in the stomach, and there is no more burden." ”

Cui Ruoyu's face was slightly red, and seeing that Wang Yuan was about to reach out to wipe his mouth again, he hurriedly took out a white silk scarf and handed it over: "Use this." ”

Wang Yuan waved his hand and said, "No need. ”

Cui Ruoyu threw the silk scarf on Wang Yuan's face, turned over and walked forward. Wang Yuan was stunned, took the silk scarf in his hand and sniffed it on his nose, the fragrance on the silk scarf was elegant and light, and it smelled very good. With the inherent fragrance of Cui Ruoyu. Wang Yuan couldn't bear to let the silk scarf stick to the oil, stretched out his sleeve and wiped his mouth, took the silk scarf in his arms, turned over and chased Cui Ruoyu on the horse.