Five thousand mighty and majestic iron cavalry marched into the city of Xiongzhou in a neat procession, although no one was informed, the news was spreading, and all the men, women and children of the whole city crawled out of the bed, their faces could not be washed, and they flocked to the south city gate, and took the initiative to line up on both sides of the street to welcome their own procession. Pen ~ fun ~ pavilion www.biquge.info

Although 5,000 soldiers and horses were not too much, they gave these people a reassurance, knowing that there would be a steady stream of troops coming to defend the city and protect the people here.

What is the greatest wish of the common people, that is, to live in peace, the invasion of the Liao army broke the tranquility of their lives, and now that the army of the court is coming, they believe that the day of peace is not far away.

The soldiers of the 5,000 pioneer battalion cheered in the crowd, all raised their heads with their chests straight, and the war horses that stepped down also strode forward. ”

Everyone jumped off their horses, untied the hay bags from their saddles and fed them, and then sat down on the ground, resting their tired bodies, and soon there were bursts of snoring.

I don't know that I didn't know that I had been asleep for a long time, but in my sleep I smelled the smell of food, and then I heard someone shouting, "Brothers, wake up!" Meals are coming. ”

When everyone opened their eyes, they saw more than a dozen officials, leading dozens of people, carrying burdens, carrying baskets, holding wine jars, and carrying large wooden barrels, to come here.

The officials beckoned, "Brothers, line up and get the food and drinks!" ”

When the soldiers heard this, they all ran over with their own iron basins for rice, and some of them simply took helmets.

The officials commanded the people to distribute wine and food to the soldiers, the dishes were mutton stewed radish, pork stewed potatoes, rice was steamed buns and pancakes, and one person had a large bowl of wine.

After finishing the meal, the soldiers were eating and drinking in groups, and praised at the same time: "Good! This food is hard enough, there is wine and food, it is still hot, and it is very energetic. ”

At this time, Ding Qian and Jiao Meng accompanied Zhang Zhifu over.

When the soldiers saw Jiao Meng and others coming, they all wanted to stand up, and Jiao Meng hurriedly waved his hand and said, "Brothers, you have been tired all the way on the saddle horse, don't stand up, sit down quickly, sit down to drink and eat." ”

The soldiers sat down again.

After Jiao Meng saw everyone sitting down, he pointed to Governor Zhang's Mansion and said, "Brothers, this is Governor Zhang, the parent official of Xiongzhou, he came to visit you on behalf of the fathers and brothers of Xiongzhou City, and he wants to say a few words to everyone. Come, the brothers applauded. ”

When the soldiers heard this, they hurriedly put down the pots and bowls in their hands, and applauded, and the sound of 5,000 pairs of big hands clapping shook the sky.

Jiao Meng walked to a horse, took off a saddle and put it at the feet of Governor Zhang, and said, "Lord Prefect, please stand on top of this and give a lecture to the brothers." ”

Governor Zhang nodded, jumped into the saddle, and condescendingly arched his hand around: "The most important thing I want to say is to thank you brothers. ”

When everyone heard it, it sounded applause.

It took a long time for the applause to stop.

Governor Zhang said in a loud voice: "Brothers, it is you who wear the stars and the moon and travel thousands of miles to bring the guarantee of life and the hope of victory to the fathers, villagers, brothers and sisters of Xiongzhou City in danger. For more than a month, the people of Xiongzhou City have been looking forward to the rescue, just like people who are deep in darkness, looking forward to the dawn of the east, the sun in the sky, and now they have finally come to you. Your arrival, undoubtedly calmed the hearts of the army, the people, it can be said that everyone has taken a reassuring pill, there is no panic anymore, there is nothing to be afraid of, now although the Liao army is eyeing the other side, teeth and claws, but it is just a rabid dog barking day, blind Wang, the prefect believes that with the arrival of the army, we will definitely defeat those Liao dogs, and drive them back to their hometown in the desert, and the Liao people occupy the city will be just around the corner to return to the embrace of the Great Song Dynasty. As long as our military and civilians are united and united, the final victory must belong to us. Long live the Great Song, long live the Great Song! ”

All the people in the square shouted in unison: "Long live the Great Song, long live the Great Song." ”

Ding Qian chanted the slogan for a while, thinking in his heart that it seems that this political and ideological work has already been done for a long time, and isn't Governor Zhang's speech a pre-war mobilization report! It's really exciting. Wow! Awesome!

Jiao Meng turned to Ding Qian and said, "How do you feel about joining the army." ”

Ding Qian nodded and praised: "Very good, Master Zhang spoke too well, so that everyone's spirit will be raised." ”

Jiao Meng smiled and said, "Then join the army, shouldn't you also go up and say a few words!" ”

Ding Qian shook his head and said: "What I want to say, Governor Zhang has already said it, so I won't go up, and besides, the brothers haven't had a good rest for many days, I see that after eating, let everyone hurry up and rest and sleep immediately, first recuperate enough spirits, and then say, this Liao people may launch an attack at some point." ”

Jiao Meng nodded and said: "Okay, the adults who joined the army are really thinking about their brothers everywhere, unlike those who have joined the army in the past, followed behind the marshal's ass, and said something useless when they started to get off the horse, and they didn't know how to pretend to understand the local officials, and pretended to be forced there!" And you came here directly with the pioneer battalion, and this courage is also something that those who joined the army do not have. ”

Ding Qian said disapprenously: "What's this, what's wrong with the pioneer battalion." ”

Jiao Meng said: "Lord of the army, I see that you are the first time to go out with the army, what is this pioneer battalion for, that is, to fight the front station, not only to bear the task of opening roads in the mountains and building bridges in the water, but also to encounter the enemy anytime and anywhere, so those who are afraid of death will not risk following the vanguard battalion, but hide in the marshal's brigade, so that the danger is much smaller." Come here to mix for a while, gilded and gilded, and the backer of the court will work harder, and the person will be promoted up, and it will not be a problem to become a high-ranking official. It's like you're stupid, running forward regardless of life or death, don't say anything else, just say it was yesterday night, if it wasn't for Yang Kai's protection, you would have fed the wolf a long time ago. ”

"That's right!" Ding Qian replied honestly, and then asked, "Then what are you going to do next for General Jiao?" ”

Jiao Meng said: "What else can I do?" Divide his brothers on the city wall, assist the garrison of Xiongzhou to hold the city, and wait for the arrival of Marshal Yang Zongbao's brigade. ”

Ding Qian said: "It is passive to only defend the city. ”

"Then what do you say! My old Jiao has always been accustomed to charging into battle, and I am really not proficient in this aspect of garrisoning. ”

Ding Qiandao: "I think we should go to the Daqing River to have a look, build some fortifications there, and block the Liao soldiers on the other side of the river first." ”

Jiao Meng said: "Okay, let's go to the river to have a look as soon as Governor Zhang finishes speaking." ”

At this time, Governor Zhang had already finished speaking, jumped off the saddle and said to Jiao Meng and Ding Qian: "Did the two of you also go up and say a few words?" ”

Ding Qian shook his head and said that he had nothing to say.

Jiao Meng said: "If you want to talk about fighting, my old Jiao didn't say a word, but when it comes to speaking, I can't do it, my legs tremble when I go up, I'm afraid that even the saddle will have to be overturned, wouldn't it be embarrassing, it's better not to go up." ”

Governor Zhang smiled and said, "Okay, I won't force the two of you." Let's go up to the city wall and have a look. ”

Ding Qian said: "Lord Prefect, let's go and see the river fortifications!" By the way, observe the hostile situation on the other side. ”

Governor Zhang looked at Jiao Meng and said, "What does the general mean!" ”

Jiao Meng waved his hand and said, "Listen to the army." ”

"Okay, let's go!" Saying that, Governor Zhang led Jiao Meng and Ding Qian out of the south city gate, and walked out about three miles away, when they saw a long river embankment, and there were many defenders squatting or standing or sitting under the embankment.

Seeing that Governor Zhang accompanied Yiwen and Yiwu and two people, everyone knew that this must be a senior official sent from above, so they hurriedly stood up and automatically lined up.

Governor Zhang walked over, and a captain stepped forward and said, "The little one greets the prefect!" ”

Governor Zhang nodded and said, "Is there any movement of the Liao army on the other side?" ”

The lieutenant said: "My lord, there is no movement in the Liao army for the time being. ”

Ding Qian walked to the top of the embankment and looked at it, in front of him was the Daqing River, which was four or five zhang wide, at this time it was the season when the water was prosperous, only to see the waves rolling, rolling the turbid waves, and the opposite bank was a vast willow bush, and there was nothing to see at all. When I pulled back my eyes, I saw that there was a vast sandy beach in front of the embankment, and the view was very broad.

Ding Qian looked at it and pointed to the big river beach and said, "Lord Prefect, is there a pit down here!" ”

Governor Zhang shook his head and said, "No, this sandy land will collapse as soon as it is dug up, and it will sink into the pit." ”

Ding Qian said: "If there is no pit, if it is in the dry season, then the enemy's cavalry will suddenly cross the river, and then drive straight in, and these bows and arrows on the river embankment will not be able to stop the Liao iron cavalry at all." ”

Governor Zhang said embarrassedly: "There is no way, we have tried several times on the beach by the river and we can't dig a pit, if it is an enemy attack, we can only rely on the river embankment to resist for a short time, and then retreat into the city, and fight hard." ”

Ding Qian said: "This can't be done, it is not good to use the natural barrier of the Daqing River, and it is not a good strategy to defend the city alone." It is only advisable to effectively kill and wound the enemy when they cross the river. ”

Governor Zhang smiled bitterly: "This prefect also knows, but it is really difficult to dig a pit on this beach." ”

Ding Qian pondered for a moment and said, "This problem is easy to solve, and I have already figured out a way." ”

Governor Zhang was a little surprised and said: "Lord Joiner, in order to dig a pit here, Zhang tried everything he could, and consulted many people, but he has been helpless, and I don't know what kind of method the Lord will take." ”

Ding Qian smiled and said: "Lord Prefect, in fact, this method is also very simple, now you only need to collect more bamboo batches from the people." ”

Governor Zhang said: "This is easy to say, the people here are basically planted with bamboo, and a little bamboo is not a problem!" ”

Ding Qian said: "Okay, then please ask the prefect to send someone out to inform the people as soon as possible, the more you collect, the better." ”