"Send people to spread false news, that is, the rebels will attack Xiayi soon, as long as the news spreads, the danger of the people's unrest will be quickly resolved, and at least half of the refugees will hear the news and flee Kaixiayi." Nangong Wang said softly.

Kong Sheng's eyes lit up, but then he shook his head with a wry smile and said: "Fake is fake after all, once the refugees react, they will flock to it again in a few days, this is not a cure for the root cause." ”

Nangong Wang suddenly smiled: "It's not impossible to cure the root cause, but I'm afraid that Lord Overseer won't be able to be ruthless." ”

Nangong Wang turned his head to look at the crowded group of refugees outside the city: "Send troops to forcibly drive them away, and if there is resistance, kill them on the spot!" As long as the Overseer has the ruthlessness and courage to do so, it's not a big deal. ”

Kong Sheng smiled bitterly: "Senior Brother Nangong, are you trying to make me the butcher of the infamous Wanfu?" Not to mention the reputation among the people, even if the rebellion is quelled and spread to the court in the future, if someone impeaches a copy, I will not be able to eat and walk around. ”

Nangong Wang spread his hands: "I knew you wouldn't do this." But I can only say that those who achieve great things are not informal, if you don't even have this bit of courage and ruthlessness, I'm afraid it will be difficult for Xia Yi to hold on for too long. Not to mention that the verdict is offensive, even the growing number of refugees outside the city is also a major disaster. ”

Kong Sheng sighed, his gaze projected on the group of refugees outside the city, and gradually became a little gloomy. The refugee crisis, which he did not anticipate at first, was a sudden variable.

But in any case, to make him raise the butcher's knife to the refugees outside the city, this is something that Kong Sheng can't do, which has touched his final bottom line as a modern civilized person. Even if he gave up Xiayi City because of this, he couldn't do this kind of thing that would leave a reputation in history.

Just like Kong Sheng's evaluation of Zhang Xun. Zhang Xun has meritorious. Zhang Xun is talented. Zhang Xun turned the tide, Zhang Xun was loyal, and there was no problem with these. But in Kong Sheng's heart, Zhang Xun's merits are indelible, but the "cannibalistic tragedy" he directed by himself in the end because of guarding Suiyang is destined to leave a chatter controversy.

Where to go, Kong Sheng was undecided for a while. After weighing it for a long time, he made a decision. asked Nangong Wang to send people to spread the false news that the rebels were going to attack Xiayi on a large scale, and at the same time ordered Tang Genshui to lead the infantry battalion to quietly pull out the camp and march westward, and then turn back to the east, creating the illusion that the army was moving.

Nangong Wang took the order and left. He did this with ease, and the news quickly spread through some channel, causing panic among the refugees outside the city. Early the next morning, when more than 1,000 people led by Tang Genshui waved the banner of the rebels to create a big movement to attack Xiayi City, it finally achieved results, and many refugees began to flee to Jiangbei with their families.

Seeing that the group of refugees outside the city had almost halved overnight, Kong Sheng finally breathed a sigh of relief. If all the refugees outside the city are evacuated. It is impossible and unrealistic. But as long as it is reduced by half, even if it causes a popular unrest. It will also be under Kong Sheng's absolute control.

Thousands of refugees poured into Jiangbei, which is estimated to be a headache for King Li. But that's not something Kong Sheng is worried about.

In the afternoon, Tang Genshui led more than 1,000 infantry to return to Xiayi in a majestic manner, and Kong Sheng saw that this infantry army was neat and tidy on the tower of the city gate, and the marching order was unified.

In any case, this army was formed and operated by him himself, including Tang Genshui's infantry battalion, including 1,500 gradually well-trained recruits in the new battalion, and the total number of Xiayi military horses has exceeded 4,000.

This is the regular army.

There is also a reserve militia battalion organized and presided over by Nangong Wang. If the rebels really attacked, Nangong Wang was sure to mobilize thousands of militia in the shortest possible time, and with a little training, he would be able to go into battle, at least to help the officers and soldiers defend the city.

It is precisely with the resources of these armed forces that Kong Sheng can defend Xiayi without retreating.

The cavalry battalion and the archery battalion are the elite of the elite, the most precious and rare forces in the army, so the barracks of these two battalions are located in the city. Only the infantry battalion and the recruit battalion were located outside the city, on the one hand, to facilitate the training of soldiers, and on the other hand, to deter refugees outside the city and maintain basic order.

The roar of footsteps became clearer and clearer. Tang Genshui's military horse moved quickly, the flag was unfurled, the formation was not chaotic, and the main general's flag was impressively printed with a big "hole" word, Nangong looked at it from afar, and said with a gentle sigh: "Tang Genshui is a rare general, it is rare for the overseer to reduce talents without sticking to one pattern, and promote him to the commander of a battalion. ”

Nangong Wang was really a little emotional.

Tang Genshui was originally his hardcore confidant, but now he has become one of the most important generals under Kong Sheng, although Tang Genshui's respect for Nangong Wang has not diminished in the slightest, but Nangong Wang can no longer treat him like before.

Things are people, not everything.

Kong Sheng smiled slightly: "Don't use suspicious people, don't doubt people." Tang Genshui commanded the infantry battalion, and our army was like a tiger. With this infantry under him, plus Li Biao and Li Hu's cavalry and Nan Yong's archers, the combat effectiveness of the mixed army is not much higher than that of the rebels. So, there is nothing to fear, the rebels attacking and besieging Suiyang are actually a rabble, what is the use of a large number of people? ”

"Many people say that the rebels will take Suiyang in three days, but what is the result? Half a month has passed, and Suiyang still doesn't move. ”

Nangong Wang turned his head to look in the direction of Suiyang, "Zhang Xun and Zhang Zhongcheng have the heroic intention of dying together with the rebels, and the defenders of Suiyang are working together, so it is not surprising that they can hold out for so long." It's just that Suiyang has limited grain and grass, and the rebels have been besieged for a long time, so I'm afraid it will be self-defeating. ”

Kong Sheng shook his head: "You are wrong. Suiyang can hold out for at least two or three months. ”

Nangong Wang pursed his lips disapprenously, but he didn't argue with Kong Sheng. In Nangong Wang's opinion, Suiyang can hold out for more than half a month, which is already an outlier and a miracle, and it is impossible to continue to hold on for a few months under the siege of 100,000 troops.

If nothing else, what about grain and grass? Without food to eat, how can the army defend the city? Once the morale of the army is broken, it will be difficult to gather again. At that time, I am afraid that Zhang Xun will not be able to control the situation, and the defenders of Suiyang will take the initiative to open the city and surrender.

At this point, Nangong Wang really underestimated Zhang Xun.

The next day at noon.

The spring breeze in Xiayi in March is warm, the earth is warm, the cold winter is gone, for the soldiers and civilians of Xiayi, the difficult winter has persevered, and the next thing left is to hold on to hope.

As a precaution, the gates are usually closed. Unless the army moves, the city gate can be opened, and the residents and merchants in the city are not allowed to enter and leave the city casually during special periods.

Kong Sheng slowly ascended to the city tower, and behind him was Nie Chuchen, who was dressed in red. Nie Chuchen has long been a well-known celebrity in Xiayi, although she has no official status, all the soldiers are more respectful when they see her.

During the war, it was impossible for Kong Sheng to sit in the yamen for routine official business, but to go up to the city tower to inspect the city defense when he had nothing to do, just in case.

Wu Xie looked cold, and followed closely with a horizontal knife on his waist. Since Wu Xian's accident, Kong Sheng realized that Wu Xian and Wu Xie were not suitable for the two to be generals in the army, so it was better to keep the two by his side and talk about it during the war. Of course, Wu Xian was recuperating in the room at the moment, and his staff smeared his wounds with good gold sore medicine, but it also took time to heal.

Suddenly, there was a riot in the refugee settlements in the southern part of the city, and many refugees rushed towards the city gate with hoes and sticks in their hands and roaring angrily. Originally, there were only a few dozen people, but along the way, refugees continued to join, and by the time they reached the city gate, there were at least a thousand people.

The refugees were so excited that many of them banged on the city gates with sticks, shouting and demanding to see Kong Sheng.

Kong Sheng's face on the city tower changed. Turning his head to look at Nangong who came after hearing the news, he said, "Senior Brother Nangong, what's going on?" ”

Nangong Wang frowned slightly: "I don't know." Wu Xie, you go and ask about the situation. ”

Wu Xie bowed down to receive the order, turned around and strode down the city tower. Wu Xie took people to the city gate to negotiate with the refugees for a long time, and finally figured out a general idea.

Wu Xie came back, bowed down and said: "Lord Overseer, it is said that there are officials and soldiers who loot the refugees' property under the banner of the official office, but this is not enough, I heard that a folk girl was raped, which caused the public anger of the refugees, so I came to besiege the city to make trouble, and I want the Overseer to give them an explanation." ”

Wu Xie's face was a little gloomy.

Kong Sheng frowned when he heard this, although he should not listen to the refugee's words, but intuitively, Kong Sheng felt that this matter should be true. But outside the city, there are more than 1,300 people in Tang Genshui's infantry battalion and 1,500 people in Nanyong's new battalion.

Kong Sheng immediately suspected the group of people from Hong Ze Shuikou. Sensing the change in Kong Sheng's flickering eyes, Nangong Wang's face became gloomy and ugly.

"What to do? Lord Overseer, there are more and more refugees, and if you don't get to the bottom of what is clear and give them an explanation, I'm afraid it won't end well. Wu Xie said softly.

Kong Sheng took a deep breath and waved his hand: "Wu Jie, open the city gate, and I will personally go to talk to the people." ”

Wu Xie was taken aback: "No, Lord Overseer, the city gates are open, if the refugees pour in and cause conflict, the consequences will be unimaginable." Moreover, the refugees are numerous and emotionally angry, and it is very dangerous for the Overseers to come face to face with them. ”

Kong Sheng laughed: "What are you afraid of? We are afraid of anything, and we can't be afraid of the people. Send an order, let Li Biao and Li Hu's men and horses stand by, and you will take a hundred people to open the city gate and follow me out of the city. ”

Kong Sheng turned his head and glanced at Nangong: "Senior Brother Nangong, are you going out of the city with me?" ”

A trace of helplessness flashed in Nangong Wang's eyes, and he nodded slowly: "Of course, the overseers are not afraid, so what are the mountain people afraid of?" ”

Kong Sheng laughed: "Okay, open the city gate!" ”

The surging group of refugees is a group of people who have nowhere to vent their anger, suddenly see the city gate open, emotions suddenly have an outlet for catharsis, some people chant and are about to drum up for everyone to take advantage of the void to enter, go to the city to make a fuss, but listen to the sound of the military drum earth-shattering, hundreds of strong and majestic cavalry formed a battle formation to guard the passage of the city gate, the sharp tip of the Mo knife outward, if this group of refugees poured in, I am afraid that it will cause bloodshed. (To be continued.) )