The bell rang.

In the past, Wuyangcheng was known as having a tree, a tower, and a bell and three treasures. The tree refers to the lychee trees that are planted throughout the city, and the tower refers to a glazed pagoda that was destroyed by fire decades ago. There is also a large bronze bell, which can weigh thousands of catties, and it is still intact, and it is said that it resounded throughout the city when it was struck. Because the bell is so loud, it is only struck when something very big happens, and it is usually not heard at all. Xuan Minglei has settled in Wuyang City for more than 20 years, and in these more than 20 years, he heard the bell ring for the second time, and his eyes couldn't help but be a little moist, and he couldn't help but reach out and wipe the corners of his eyes.

Although Xuan Minglei's movements were very subtle, Tan Wantong on the side was still aware of it. He whispered: "Brother Xuan, the matter has come to this, it is useless to think about it." ”

In fact, his heart was not much easier than Xuan Minglei. Although he has now become a semi-civilian, after all, he is also a military general. In the original military career, it is not that there has been no defeat, but there has never been a defeat as desperate as this one. At that time, even if he was defeated, there was always hope of winning in defeat, but this time, there was really no chance of victory.

Xuan Minglei sighed softly: "Brother Tan, I'm fine, let's go in." ”

At this time, Xuan Minglei had faintly felt the mood of the teacher before his death.

His teacher was Deng Canglan, who once had the number one water war in the world. In the master-apprentice duel that year, Xuan Minglei drove the ironclad ship Tianshi, which was equipped with a Ruyi machine, and rampaged, breaking Deng Canglan's army, forcing Deng Canglan to vomit blood and die. And this is also the reason why his senior brother Fu Yanshu will never forgive him.

Deng Canglan vomited blood when he watched Xuan Minglei drive away on the Tianshi, he was not actually injured at that time, but the appearance of the Tianshi brought a great shock to Deng Canglan, who had studied water warfare all his life, because the appearance of the ironclad ship completely changed the tactics of water warfare, and Deng Canglan became a laggard from the first in water warfare almost instantly. It's just that now, Xuan Minglei has also felt almost the same mood before the teacher's death. Compared to the pain of defeat, this shock in the face of a sudden overwhelming force is a complete loss of hope. Xuanming Lei is really a famous general today, and even he can't help but be in a trance, not to mention those ordinary generals.

When they walked into the council hall, most of the civil and military forces in Wuyang City had gathered, but most of them looked depressed, especially the military. The two major generals of the Five Amniotic Water Army below Xuan Minglei, Cui Wangxiang and Ye Zilai, were even more immersed in water. Seeing Tan Wantong and Xuan Minglei coming in, the two of them stood up first and saluted. Tan Wantong was very familiar with Cui Wangxiang because he was on the same list as the "Three Heroes of Water and Sky" in the past, so he first talked to Ye Zilai: "Brother Ye, hasn't the messenger of the Sunflower King come yet?" ”

In a fiasco outside the south gate of Wuyang, the Wuyang Water Army lost nearly two-thirds, and the only airship was also shot down, almost completely losing its combat effectiveness, and the only thing that can still be talked about is that the flagship Fuxing was only slightly injured. Ye Zilai is nothing because he is stationed in the city, and Cui Wangxiang's department can be said to be wiped out by the whole army, it is already a miracle that he can escape, I heard Tan Wantong ask, and without waiting for Ye Zilai to answer, he interjected: "Brother Tan, those kings ......"

Tan Wantong listened to his tone, knowing that he was going to scold something like "bastard", and hurriedly said: "Brother Cui, your injuries have not healed, don't be impatient, everything is planned in the long run." ”

Although Cui Wangxiang was full of resentment, after all, he was also a general mind, and he swallowed this stinky scolding when it came to his mouth, and sat back with his ass. Ye Zilai whispered: "Director Tan, the great system is still in the inner room, and it will start when the envoys arrive." ”

Ye Zilai's voice was calm, but he could hear it a little choked. The general system, as the head of Wuyangcheng, was also a difficult point in the past when the north and south were in peace. At first, the candidates proposed by the south were repeatedly rejected, until the north proposed to let Chen Qianxin, the director of the Ministry of Industry, take the position. Chen Qianxin's qualifications are very old, and he is also recognized as the world's first craftsman, but he is probably the most unsuitable candidate for the general system, because although Chen Qianxin's intelligence is superb, but probably because he is devoted to the craftsman, so he is not very familiar with the world. It's just that in the emperor's opinion, Chen Humility is the only suitable candidate to serve as the general ruler because of this. Of course, the south also knows that this north-south peace talks, called peace talks, are actually the submission of the south to the north, and it is naturally impossible for the north to allow a shrewd and capable person in Wuyangcheng to serve as the general ruler. However, although Chen Humility is extremely unsuitable for being a big commander, he is generous and easy-going, and his prestige is also high.

It's just that I'm afraid that's the end of it. The meeting was nominally a peace talk, but in fact it was also a surrender ceremony. If the Northern Empire had given Wuyangcheng enough respect in the North-South Peace Conference more than twenty years ago—albeit only superficially—then this time even these forms did not exist. Chen is not a person who is sensitive to political affairs, and now this surrender ceremony must be presided over by him, the nominal head of state, so he has to take care of all aspects of him in advance, so as to save the time when there is chaos and make this ceremony a laughing stock. It's just that this form makes a fighter like Ye Zilai feel extremely humiliated, and he can't stand it every moment. Tan Wantong naturally understood his thoughts, and just said, "Okay, let's wait." ”

In fact, the waiting time was not very long, and soon, several retinues came out from behind, standing in two rows on the left and right, and then came out of the Great Ruler Chen Qianxin and the Sunflower King's envoy Du Hulun. Duhuron was still wearing the blue robe and the big hat decorated with feathers. He looked arrogant last time, and this time he was even more arrogant. came out with Chen Humility, and he was not humble, so he went to the first seat and sat down, and said in a loud voice: "Princess, please feel free, no need to be formal." ”

This is not very polite, but these words have always been said by the master, and when he says this, he really thinks of himself as the master. talked about the same city government very deeply, but he was also a little annoyed, and said in his heart: "This guy is really arrogant." "It's just that people are under the short eaves and have to bow their heads. The only remaining army in Wuyang City was almost wiped out, and Yu Peili's fleet firmly controlled the south gate, and it was not impossible for them to sweep Wuyang City.

Du Hulun stretched out his hand and beckoned, and a person behind him came over with a big book, Du Hulun opened it and said: "Princess, since you are already a subordinate of the Sunflower King from today onwards, you should be familiar with it." From now on, the man whose name I have called, shall follow me to the Molong to greet Admiral Yupelly, and there shall be no mistake. ”

This book is a list of officials of the military and political departments of Wuyang City. There are always thousands of officials from top to bottom, and it is naturally impossible for all of them to board the ship and surrender. The five departments have one director and two deputy directors, and after the fifteen names were reported, and the fifteen people arrived, he turned the page and read aloud: "The first marshal Yu Chenggong." ”

This is a line of officers. There are not as many people in the military as there are in the government, and now the commander of the Five Amniotic Water Army is Yu Chenggong. But Yu Chenggong is old, frail and sickly, and in the past two years, he has been paralyzed again, and he can't stand up.

As soon as Du Hulun pronounced Yu Chenggong's name, Chen Humility on the side was a little surprised although he was not very familiar with world affairs, and interjected: "Mr. Du, Marshal Yu is old and physically inconvenient, so there is no need to let him come today." ”

Du Xiulun's face sank, and he said: "Chen Datong, if it is someone else, Marshal Yu will not come forward." But this time he wants to present his saber to Admiral Yu Peli, and Marshal Yu will not go to the city, if the heart of Wuyang City is not sincere, how can it be justified! ”

Du Hulun was still full of spring breeze just now, but now his face has changed all of a sudden, and his tone has suddenly become very unkind. Chen Humility is not a person with a strong tongue, although he feels that it is a bit too much to let Yu Chenggong, who has been paralyzed and has difficulty moving, to preside over the surrender of the knife, but what Du Hulun said is also a big truth, and it seems that it cannot be refuted. He opened his mouth and was about to say something more, but saw a person below stand up and say, "Mr. Du, Marshal Yu is already sick and lying on the couch, and the Wuyang Army is really in charge." But I don't know if it is possible to replace Marshal Yu with a sword? ”

It was Xuan Minglei who spoke.

When Xuan Minglei stood up, he was also a little surprised when he talked about the evening. This defeat is really inferior to others, and it can't be said whose fault it is, but as the commander of the whole army, Xuan Minglei is really to blame. And Tan Wantong knows better that Ye Zilai and Cui Wangxiang are already so sad, and Xuan Minglei is only afraid that his heart and lungs are already hurting, but he is just strong to support himself. As a soldier, victory and defeat are common, but defeat is so bad that there is no chance of victory, and being swept away by the enemy is the greatest shame for a soldier. It's just that now I see him talking eloquently, looking calm, and I can't help but be secretly surprised when I talk about the evening.

Seeing Xuan Minglei standing up, Du Hulun was also stunned, looked at the list in his hand, and then looked at Xuan Minglei, and a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth: "It turned out to be Xuan Minglei Vice Marshal." So the previous battle was commanded by Xuan Cishuai? ”

Xuan Minglei said: "Exactly." ”

Du Hulun smiled faintly and said, "Admiral Yu Peili praised the courage of the second marshal Xuan. He said that those who can support this for a long time under the attack of our Black Dragon Army are the second, which is commendable. Since Xuan Cishuai has said this, then make an exception for Xuan Cishuai to offer a knife. ”

In the previous battle, the Wuyang Water Army was almost wiped out, and almost everyone in Wuyang City was secretly scolding the main general for being incompetent and tired to death of the three armies, and Xuan Minglei, the second marshal, was naturally scolded behind his back, as if the fall of Wuyang City was completely the responsibility of Xuan Minglei, but he didn't expect that the arrogant Du Hulun was quite polite to Xuan Minglei, and Cui Wangxiang and Ye Zilai were also surprised.

Xuan Minglei said: "The general of the defeated army has such glory, it is really unusual, and I will look up to Mr. Du in the next thanks." ”

As soon as he said this, the two generals behind him, Ye Zilai, Cui and Wang Xiang, were almost dumbfounded. They were all heartbroken by this fiasco, and the people of Wuyang City put the blame on them, which made them feel even more painful. As the head general of the Wuyangcheng Naval Army, Xuan Minglei, as a guest general, won the recognition and respect of the few remaining generals in the past seven days with his outstanding military exploits, and he also knew that this battle was not about manpower. It's just that Xuan Minglei's words are a little brazen now, Cui Wangxiang is a little anxious, his face is already a little red, and he said in his heart: "He...... Does he want to join the Sunflower Dynasty? ”

Yu Peili's fleet destroyed the defenses of Wuyang City with a swift wind, and although they were willing to gamble and lose, they were forced to participate in this surrender ceremony, but they refused to bend their knees. In particular, Cui Wangxiang and Xuan Minglei belong to the three heroes of Shuitian, and they have had a good relationship in the past, so it is hard to believe that Xuan Minglei would say such flattering words. He almost couldn't believe his ears, but Xuan Minglei's voice was not small, and he spoke it clearly, and it was impossible to hear it wrong. He was still shocked, but Du Hulun was already laughing and said: "Xuan Cishuai is really a person who knows the times and is a handsome man, worthy of the famous generals of this world." Next, Ye Zilai and Cui Wangxiang are two generals available? ”

Hearing their names, Ye Zilai and Cui Wangxiang had to stand up. The two of them are the officers of the Wuyang Army second only to Xuan Minglei, and the military representatives of this surrender ceremony are naturally served by the three of them. Although Ye Zilai and Cui Wangxiang also agreed, no one could see that the two of them were unwilling in their hearts, and they were by no means as enthusiastic as Xuan Minglei. Some of the old people present sighed secretly in their hearts, and said: "I really know people and faces, I don't know my heart, Xuan Cishuai is the son-in-law of Duke Shen, but today he has become the person who buried Wuyang City, he is really the raccoon dog of Zheng Sichu's thief." ”

At the beginning of the confrontation between the north and the south, it was Xuan Minglei's father-in-law Shen Shitu who raised the banner of rebuilding the republic in Wuyang City. And Zheng Sichu, of course, as the commander of Wuyang City, advocated peace talks, and in the eyes of these old men, he was a traitor who betrayed Wuyang City, and now Xuan Minglei has this performance, and he is immediately classified as Zheng Sichu's kind. But no matter what they thought, Du Hulun on the stage read a few more names, and said, "The above people, come with me at once to see Admiral Yu Peli." From today on, Wuyang City has become an overseas territory of the Sunflower Dynasty, except for important matters that need to be reviewed by me, everything is running as usual, please don't worry. ”

Although he said that "everything is running as usual", he has already made it clear that important matters must be taken care of by him, which means that the highest decision-making power in Wuyang City has been held by him.

The surrender ceremony was not long, but what made the people of Wuyang City feel extremely humiliated was that when they met Admiral Peli, everyone had to throw themselves to the ground and kneel on the ground. The kneeling ceremony has been abolished in Wuyang City for a long time, except for the occasional private meeting of the elders, it has long been extinct in public scenes. The concept of the republic is "people-oriented, people-oriented, and everyone is equal", and of course such a kneeling cannot exist. But when they were seen in Paley, they had to kneel on all fours as a sign of submission. This kind of etiquette of the Sunflower Dynasty is like an insult in the eyes of the people of Wuyang City, and although the head of the Ministry of Officials, Ju Xinlian, is a civil servant, he has a very strong temperament and is about to have a seizure. The colleagues on the side were afraid that once he was angry with Yu Peili and caused a big disaster, they forced him to bow on the ground, which could be regarded as perfunctory. It's just that as the head of the soldiers, this kneeling salute is full of nonsense, and it is not adulterated.

Although the Sunflower King's army had taken control of Wuyang City, Yu Peili did not get off the ship. Although the Wuyang Army has been fragmented and is not a threat, there are hundreds of thousands of citizens in Wuyang City, and these thousands of Sunflower King Expeditionary Force cannot fully control the whole city now, and Yu Peili is also afraid that there will be chaos if he leaves the battleship, so he handed over all the command to Du Hulun. To be sure, although he was arrogant, he was also quite talented, and since he was a general officer, there was no language barrier, so all kinds of affairs were quickly put in order. For the people of Wuyang City, there is indeed no change, it is nothing more than the city flag under the banner of the Great Qi Empire, replaced by an unseen sunflower flag, and all the others are still the same, the naval battle outside the south gate a few days ago, if it is not for the soldiers who died in the war at home, it is just a conversation after dinner. The Thirteen Lines barely stopped, and the merchant ships entering and leaving were completely the same as before, so that some of the new merchant ships didn't know what was wrong with Wuyang City. In fact, behind this apparent calm, the inside has changed dramatically. Now the taxes collected from the Thirteen Lines have been handed over to Yu Peili's black boat, and the effective ruling government of Wuyang City has now completely become a puppet in Yu Peili's hands. Not long ago, the Five Amniotic Water Army, which was known as the second in the world, is now almost an empty shell, except for one Fuxing, there are only a few broken snow-class warships left. It can be said that once Yu Peili's fleet leaves, Wuyang City will be a completely undefended city.