In the past, Guan Duo asked Zhi, and Deng She's answer was: "Ask the vast earth, who is the lord of the ups and downs." ”

In this world, in this vast land, he doesn't know who is presiding over the ups and downs. Therefore, he often looks up at the starry sky and at the same time remains in awe of it. However, this awe often becomes the driving force that motivates him to move forward. "My life is up to me", these seven words, as a traverser, he never believed it. However, if you don't do it, how do you know what you can do? If the starry sky above his head often makes him awe-inspiring, then the belief in his heart echoes this and pushes him forward, forward, forward.

Let's not say that "the way of heaven is good, and China has a reason to do it", nor do we say that "the people's hearts are obedient, and the husband will take revenge". Just say that Nachahan, it is true that Cao Cao was first-class at the end of the Han Dynasty, and he was a rare hero in the world. How can you not be passionate about being able to fight against such an opponent?

To tell the truth, in the earlier plot to seize Shandong, Deng She's starting point was purely interests. The whole process of fighting wits and courage with Wang Shicheng did not arouse his enthusiasm at all. It's like a cold power and conspiracy, he just goes step by step to accomplish the goal. And the upcoming fight with Chahan, no matter in any way, is completely different from it. Regardless of success or failure, just the word "Chahan" has already inspired his pride.

Full of pride, Tai'an City, Chen Yutou.

When Gao Yanshi arrived at Mount Tai, he sent a messenger to bring him news. This was Dunshe's command. Although Gao Yanshi and Li Zifan only brought 2,000 people, and stopped at the foot of Mount Tai, they would not go south for half a step, so they could not actually play any role in helping Tai'an. But as long as these two thousand men were stationed in the north not far from the city, there would always be a little more comfort to Chen Yutou and the defenders in the city. At the very least, Dunsher didn't forget about them.

The letter brought by the messenger was also written by Deng She. told Chen Rutou very frankly about the current situation facing Yidu. To put it bluntly, before the arrival of Haidong reinforcements, there were no extra military horses to support Tai'an. He also gave a general explanation of the recent battle situation and situation, and at the same time carefully analyzed the importance of holding Tai'an, and quoted the words of the successor to express his high trust in him.

At the end of the letter, he wrote: "The way of heaven is good, and China has a reason to do it." The hearts of the people are obedient, and the husband will take revenge. Words are far away, words are near, who has no loyalty? As a son of man and a minister, he should remember the anger of his ancestors.

"Today's battle with Chahan is not about Yidu, it is really a national fortune. If Shandong is lost, half of the northern country will return to the fishy. Thousands of loyal and righteous people, after years of bloody battles, until the previous achievements were lost. If Shandong is set in Shandong, it connects Liaohai in the north and Anfeng in the south. With Anfeng as the link, collect the wealth of the south of the Yangtze River, gather the army of Liaohai, enter the capital of the army, and retreat without losing the long-term map. In this way, the hatred of the ancestors of the former Song Dynasty, the hatred of Yashan and the sea, and there is a chance to revenge.

"Again, the army of Chahan from afar is not endured to fight. At most, ten days, it will be east of Kouyidu. Therefore, although Tai'an is dangerous, as long as it supports it for ten days, it will definitely turn the danger into a disaster. Jinan, the gateway to Shandong. Tai'an, the gateway to Jinan. Encourage it! "Signature: Deng She, Xu Jizu.

After Chen Yutou received the letter, he asked the copywriter to explain it to him in detail. He was born as an iron blacksmith and was illiterate. After listening, I didn't say a word. He just folded the letterhead upright and placed it on top of the desk. Then, the herald sounded the summoning drum. Gather all the generals and convene a military meeting.

Except for those who were on duty in the city, more than 100 households in the army were all present at the meeting.

Chen Yutou's military discipline is not too strict, and there are many children from his hometown among the officers. We have known each other very well for a long time, and we have known each other since we even wore open crotch pants. The turn of the total horns. Therefore, in the past, the convening of military meetings was always lax. However, this time, because the city was besieged, the future was very fast. The drums have not been beaten three times, and they have all arrived.

Chen Yutou has many cousins, and he is the thirteenth in the family. There is a nickname, called "Bodhisattva Slave". Just as "Baobao" is similar, names such as "Bodhisattva Slave", "Puxian Slave", "Three Treasure Slaves", and "Buddha Family Slaves" were also common customs and habits at that time. It has a lot to do with the atmosphere of heavy Buddha. Because of this, many of the people in his army called him thirteen, or bodhisattvas.

The officers arrived. Before the people who came behind sat down, the people who came first shouted in front: "Brother Thirteen! I have only been guarding the city for a long time, and I haven't had time to take a sip of water, when I hear you summoning the drum to sound. What's the matter? Is it worth calling us so urgently? ”

Chen Yutou has a hot temper on the outside, but it is completely different on the inside.

From the fact that the officer dared to call him "Thirteenth Brother" in the place of military discussion, it can be seen that in his army, he did not pay attention to the law of the upper and lower classes. They are still accustomed to being called by the generations of the countryside. In other words, the clan blood is really an important bond that holds the army under its command. It is not so much that Chen Yutou is the chief general of the first army, but that he is the elder of a big family.

glanced at the shouting officer, but Chen Yu ignored him. An old man held down the officer and whispered: "What do you call!" How many times has the Bodhisattva instructed that military discussion places and formal occasions must abide by the rules. Didn't let outsiders see the joke. He snorted his mouth on Chen Yu's head and gestured, "Didn't you see that Lord Liu was also there?" ”

Liu Shimin, the prefect of Tai'an. Deng She had a clear stipulation that civilian officials were not allowed to participate in the military. According to military law, he is not eligible to participate in military meetings. However, these are extraordinary times. To defend the city, you have to work together with the civil and military. In addition, his identity is different, and he is considered a close confidant of Deng She. Therefore, Chen Yutou also invited him to come over, sit on the head, and observe the meeting.

Liu Shimin coughed, and changed his sitting posture as little as possible. To say that Chen Rutou took the initiative to invite him to participate in the military discussion, it was a good intention. Somehow, he felt sick.

He has been in Tai'an as a prefect for some time, and he usually has to deal with Chen Yutou. Speaking from the heart, Chen Rutou is not bad. Although military discipline is not strict, he is not without a bottom line, and the strictness of the control of the soldiers cannot be compared with Haidong, but he has basically not caused any trouble to the local government. The well water does not interfere with the river water, and the two are safe. Sometimes, when Deng She had a government order and needed the assistance of the army to complete it, he could always actively cooperate. Despite being illiterate, do to salute Sven.

Say a thousand, say a hundred. Bandang knows loyal ministers. Chen Yutou's usual performance is his usual performance. Now that tens of thousands of troops in Chahan are besieging the city, the land of Tai'an is like a tree in the wind, stormy and in danger. What will Chen Yutou think? Guard? Walk? Fall? Liu Shimin has no bottom in his heart.

He has no military power in his hands, only dozens of servants, and they are all veterans who were wounded and lost their combat effectiveness in the battle between Deng She and Wang Shicheng, and they were placed on the spot. Most of the injuries are not healed. If Chen Yutou insists on leaving, or wants to descend. What to do? Be at one's wits' end.

Taking advantage of everyone's inattention, Liu Shimin changed his sitting posture again. Be on hot coals.

Deng She not only wrote letters to Chen Rutou, but also to Liu Shimin. All were sent by a messenger from Koyonsei. Before Liu Shimin came, he also looked at it carefully. The meaning of the two letters, almost the same content. There is only a small difference, written to Liu Shimin, there is an extra sentence at the end of the letter: "If the city is difficult to defend, the public should leave in a hurry." "What do you mean? If you feel that the city cannot be defended, flee quickly.

This is counterintuitive. Where is there a lord who allows his courtiers to escape? The implication is nothing more than a lack of trust in Chen Rutou. Liu Shimin is a weak scholar. If Chen Rutou really doesn't want to defend the city, what's the use of leaving him? This is also Deng She's care and love for him. Let's not talk about this kindness, how grateful Liu Shimin is. It can also be seen from this that even Deng She is not sure what Chen Yutou will do. What's more, Liu Shimin? He pondered.

Pondering the thoughts circling in my mind repeatedly: What if Chen Rutou really left, or if he fell?

With the 2,000 people of Gao Yanshi and Li Zifan at the foot of Mount Tai, can they stop Chahan? A day and a half of delay is remarkable. Chahan and Wang Baobao successfully met under the city of Jinan, can Yang Wanhu hold it? A Wang Baobao made him very struggling! Plus Chahan? Absolutely untenable. Tai'an and Jinan are gone, and they haven't been able to hold it, what should Yidu do?

The more Liu Shimin thought about it, the more frightened he became, and the more uneasy he became, thinking in his heart: "The letter from the lord has just arrived, and he will convene a military meeting. What is the purpose? He glanced at Chen You. Chen Rutou seemed to sense his gaze, turned his face, and smiled at him. Chen Yu has a black iron face, a big beard, and a very powerful and terrifying appearance, saying that he is laughing, but in fact, he can't see it at all. Do you laugh when you see a piece of iron? It's infiltrating.

Liu Shimin was startled, and his heart was abrupt. Busy stabilizing his mind, pretending to be calm, he asked: "The general suddenly summoned a military meeting, I don't know what happened?" ”

"A strong enemy besieges the city, of course, to discuss the defense."

"Oh. Discuss the defense. ”

Liu Shimin barely kept his expression still, and a layer of cold sweat broke out behind his back. What is there to negotiate about defending the war? Discuss the defense. Discuss the defense. What if it doesn't work out? What if the majority of the officers in his army demanded to be withdrawn? How will Chen Yutou react? He pursed his lips to ask a question, and swallowed the words back.

Chen Yutou stood up, and the armor collided with the ring knife, making a crisp sound. He looked around the hall and asked, "Are you all here?" The military judge replied, "It's all here." Chen Rutou nodded, reached out and picked up the letterhead stacked on the case, handed it to the copywriter, and said, "Read." ”

The hall was a mess, but it was quiet. Someone asked, "What is this?" ”

"Letter from the Lord."

The copywriter clears his throat and reads it from beginning to end. After reading it, explain it again. After explaining, Chen Rutou took the letter back again, still meticulously folded it and put it on the desk, and then motioned for the copywriter to sit back in place and said to everyone: "This is the content of the Lord's letter. What do you guys think? Let's talk about it. ”

The generals looked at each other.

After a long while, the officer who first called him Brother Thirteen stood up, looked left and right, looked at the front and back, and then looked at Chen Yutou's face, and said, "Brother Thirteen." Listen to the meaning of the letter, there are no reinforcements for us? ”

"Gao Yanshi and Li Zifan garrisoned at the foot of Mount Tai, and they were our reinforcements."

With a bang, the hall exploded.

"Two thousand?"

"Still stationed in Tarzan!"

"It's Chahan outside our city!"

"Did you send reinforcements to Jinan?"

"Chahan is known as 300,000 military horses, how many people are there in our city?"

"Bodhisattva! Two days earlier, you said that reinforcements would be sent from Yidu. Brothers, believe your word! Until now, the siege has been three or four days. Engage four or five times a day! Where's the reinforcements? A letter comes, there are no reinforcements to send, and that's it? I told you a long time ago, my stepmother's baby, no one hurts. Now believe it, right? ”

Liu Shimin's forehead was soaked with sweat.

Most of the dozens of officers in the hall were both resentful and angry. Liu Shimin pressed the chair and wanted to stand up and say two words, but he was at a loss for a moment and didn't know where to start. He touched the sword at his waist and retracted his hand. He turned his head to look at Chen Rutou again, but he could only see a silhouette, and he couldn't see his expression clearly.

Chen Rutou knocked on the table, suppressed the noise, and said in a deep voice: "Chen Sansi, did you ask about sending reinforcements to Jinan, right?" Isn't it very clear in the Lord's letter? Pie! Sixteenth brother, do you ask if Yidu has no reinforcements sent to us? Not bad. The letter also made it very clear that there was no. In addition to these two items, what questions do you all have? ”

The sixteenth brother is relatively close to Chen Yutou and is a brother in his own family. In front of Chen Yutou in the past, he has always been open-mouthed, and he has nothing to say. He took two steps forward, stood in the middle of the two columns of generals in the hall, and raised his head and said, "Just these two are enough!" Do you have any questions? Yidu has made it clear that he wants to treat us as outcasts. Thirteenth brother, what to do, you say! Brothers, listen to you. ”

"What do you want me to do?"

"There are no reinforcements outside, it's for the lonely city! Thirteenth brother, since Yidu has come to us from outsiders, why do we still work with him? When the sweeping prince is here, how beautiful are we? And now? Yidu has changed masters, and it is Haidong's gang that is popular. Bi Qianniu, isn't he just a pro-soldier captain? Good guys, all at once the army is set together! Where did the soldiers of the Dingqi Army come from? The people who were transferred back to our old army in Yidu!

"Yang Wanhu, went to Jinan. Half a month ago, I heard that I was actually on an equal footing with Liu Jue! What is he? Didn't you defeat the king of Goryeo? When I hunted in the suburbs, I was skilled in bowing and horses, and I was not as good as you as the thirteenth brother! Why can he be on an equal footing with Liu Jue? Okay. There was something in Jinan, Wang Baobao besieged the city, and Yidu immediately sent reinforcements. What about Tai'an? The besieger was the king, who protected his son, Chakhan Timur. Not a single reinforcement? What else is there to say! Thirteenth brother, you have to listen to me, we won't defend this dog's city! ”

"Where are you going?"

"There is no place to stay here, there is a place to stay here. Let's go north to Toutianfeng, and go south to Touanfeng. Even with our nearly 10,000 brothers, it is better to go than to call a man an outcast! ”

"You think the same way?"

"Xiao Deng came to our Yidu, conspiracy and trickery, the big husband didn't take it! If it weren't for you, the thirteenth brother, would our brother be willing to surrender him? Little Sixteen is right. There is no place to stay here, there is a place to stay here. Since he doesn't treat us as his own family, this Laoshizi's Tai'an City, let's still guard it as a bird! ”

Someone sighed, pulled out a short knife, looked at Liu Shimin with ill will, and said, "Thirteenth brother, these are the opinions of the brothers. You speak! What to do? Did you slaughter the overseer first, or did you leave him to the Tartars to clean up? As long as you say a word, how you say it, how the brothers listen. ”

At the beginning, Deng She captured Yidu, and Tai'an was hesitant to descend to Haidong or change to Tianfeng. Thanks to Deng She's courage, he boldly let Chen Yutou ride back to the city alone, and the generals who were recruited were willing to surrender to the city. But after all, the generals will inevitably be a little unconvinced. Now that Chahan is besieging the city, Yidu has no help, this dissatisfaction, mixed with resentment, suddenly broke out together.

Liu Shimin sweated like rain, jumped up in a hurry, grabbed Chen Rutou's cloak, and explained urgently: "The lord aids Jinan, but not Tai'an." There's a reason for that. There are not enough horses in Yidu, and they are only enough to help one place. Jinan, the gateway of Zi and Qing. If he didn't rescue him immediately, Wang Baobao would be able to attack Yidu at any time. If Yidu is in danger, what is the use of aiding Tai'an? And, despite this, at the foot of Mount Tai, didn't the lord also do his best to send two generals, Gao Yanshi and Li Zifan? Chen Shuai! The big picture counts! And we must focus on the overall situation. ”

"Nonsense!"

"Hugh must believe him!"

"Jinan is the gateway to Yidu, so I'm not at all, isn't Tai'an? So you treat us as outcasts? Outrageous! Thirteenth Brother,......。 ”

There was a loud bang, interrupting the generals' anger and resentment. Everyone looked up together and saw that it was Chen Yu who kicked over the seat.

"Thirteenth brother?"

Chen Ru had a dark face and said, "Shut up!" Gently withdrew the cloak from Liu Shimin's hand, soothed him gently, and said: "The reason why the lord aided Jinan and did not aid Tai'an was clearly explained in the letter, and I understand it very well. Even if the lord doesn't talk about it, I don't know the difficulties involved. Don't panic. Rest assured. Although the head of the rude is a rough person, the truth that the overall situation is important, is still clear. ”

He looked forward to the generals and said angrily: "When the day is full of night battles, I will be captured by the lord." To tell you the truth, I wasn't convinced at first! But soon after, the lord sent me back to the city on a single horse. Who just said that the lord and other people regard us? If you really treat us as outsiders, will you feel free to send me back alone? ”

"Therefore, show generosity and win people's hearts!"

"Easier said than done. Little Sixteen, are you going to try it instead? So that I can see what kind of accident you have to show mercy! That's not to say. Even so. Chahan came to the west, the King of Flowers and Horses was known as a fierce man, and the land of several roads was lost in ten months! Now the turtle is shrinking to Dizhou, and he can't take half a step. There is also Wang Shixin of Tengzhou, who is better and more straightforward, and surrendered directly. This is also known as a hero! It's so unbearable. No matter what Yidu is, in the face of a strong enemy, the lord will not give an inch. Let me ask you, where is the lord now? ”

"Yidu."

"Has the lord walked back to Haidong?"

"Nope."

"Is it because the lord can't leave?"

"It's not."

"Then why doesn't the lord refuse to leave Yidu?"

The generals acquiesced, and no one had a word to say.

"What else do you have to say?"

No one spoke.

"Master Chen, what's the matter with the good way of heaven? I beg you to repeat the words spoken in the Lord's letter. ”

Chen Fuzi was his copywriter, and he rose up and said: "Heaven is good, and China has a reason to do it." The hearts of the people are obedient, and the husband will take revenge. Words are far away, words are near, who has no loyalty? As a son of man and a minister, he should remember the anger of his ancestors. ”

Chen Yutou asked the generals again: "What else do you have to say?" The generals were speechless. Chen Yu pulled out the ring knife, lifted his armor, turned the handle of the knife and handed it to Liu Shimin, and said, "Labor Lord Liu, give me a favor." Liu Shimin's hands trembled, he held the handle of the knife, and according to his request, he engraved eight words on his chest: "Serve the country with bare courage and swear to kill the thief." ”

"As the lord said, this battle is not about Yidu, it is really about the fortune of the country. Ladies and gentlemen, if you say anything more, cut it down! "Deng She wants to tell him about friendship in the letter, and if he talks about anything else, maybe Chen Yutou won't take care of it. Only the word "loyalty" is higher than the sky. He asked the generals a third time, "What else do you have to say?" ”

Chen Sansi, Sixteenth Brother and others, most of them are clan blood relatives with him, plus the perennial battle, the relationship is very good. Chen Youtou's determination to stubbornly defend the lonely city was decided, and the generals naturally had nothing to say, bowed to the ground, and said in unison: "I am willing to live and die with the thirteenth brother." Liu Shimin fell back to his seat, and at this point, he could be regarded as having grown a breath of air, and he didn't feel sweaty.