Delong

Chapter 190 Raising Arms (3)

"White Horse is the seat of the county government, but it was taken almost without bloodshed before evening. Why hasn't Puyang been taken down since afternoon?"

About an hour after dark, inside the Niujiazhuang outside Puyang City, the lights were brightly lit, accompanied by Zhang Xing, the right-wing leader of the Dragon Gang, who was about to wither a yellow flower, walked around with his hands up and down, and at the same time scolded a person who was standing with his hands tied. "There is only one county magistrate in Puyang, but there are only five hundred county soldiers. The county lieutenant is still your Niu Da's father!"

Daoist Wei and Li Shu sat in the back with the same gloomy expression. They didn't mean to take pleasure in other people's misfortune just because the person in charge of Puyang was Zhang Xing's direct line team. In Puyang, which is right in front of Niujiazhuang, it was the reliable Niu Da who caused the trouble.

"Puyang City is solid and tall, and the barracks, government offices, and warehouses inside are also high, and there is food..." Niu Da said awkwardly.

"Actually, Niutou collar and his father are too slippery." Jia Yue who had a bloody cut on his face suddenly interjected coldly. "Before I asked him all the time, he kept saying yes, but it was just perfunctory. The county pawns were not grasped to win over at all... There was a team general in it, who was an old friend invited by the county magistrate after he took office. Be vigilant, take the first step after noticing the abnormality in the morning, take most of the county soldiers and leave, go to the county government office, then invite the county magistrate's family to come out, and then transfer to the warehouse compound like a small town to stick to it... When we entered the city, the four sides There is only one city gate, and it was temporarily threatened to take it down."

Niu Da clenched his fists tightly, gritted his teeth and turned his head to look at Jia Yue. His face was flushed by the reflection of the brazier, but he couldn't refute. Then he turned his head to meet Zhang Xing's cold eyes, and he could only bow his head immediately and salute:
"Third brother, give me a chance, let me try again!"

"How do you try?" Zhang Xing stood there with his hands behind his back and asked coldly.

"Let my father feint from the front, and I will lead someone to climb the wall from behind!" Niu Da tried hard to say. "Never let Puyang have no result tonight... Even if there is no result, we will never let the matter have no result for our father and son."

Zhang Xing's expression softened, and he was willing to go all out by himself, at least he knew who was responsible.

"Wait for a while!" At this thought, Zhang Xing shook his head slightly. "Wait for Liu Yezhong's surrender documents from Baima to come, and try to persuade them to surrender first. I will go with you and tell them that I am willing to make a guarantee in person... The overall situation is the same, let their family leave the country safely."

Niu Da was slightly relieved, and he was grateful...Of course he knew that Zhang Xing was taking the same responsibility as himself, but he was doing it for his own father, and he was for Niu Da, the leader of his direct line... In gratitude, I want to talk again.

Only Jia Yue, although his face drooped throughout the whole process, seemed to be unable to hide his slight sarcasm at this time, which caused Niu Da to feel depressed for a while.

"Actually, why is it so troublesome?" At this moment, Xiong Bonan who had been sitting beside him suddenly got up. "Can't you just let me go? That day in Dengzhou, when we finally broke into the arsenal in the city, the officer's alchemy expert was still there. Under the prestige, the three families shirked the blame. It was I who went in directly and took advantage of him. Tired, easy to deal with..."

"Don't move, and don't move around!" Zhang Xing suddenly turned his head, and his face was furious, which actually scared Xiong Bonan, the number one expert in the gang, into a big jump. "The whole group is mobilized, the three counties are dispatched together, and millions of people live, how can they be disorganized?"

"Xiong Tianwang, sit down with peace of mind. Although this kind of thing is a bit unexpected, it's just not going well. It hasn't reached the end of the mountain. How can we use a bull's knife to kill a chicken?" Li Shu also sat there to persuade.

"That's right." In the brightly lit courtyard, Taoist Wei got up quickly, and held Xiong Bonan's hand seriously. "Xiong Tianwang, of course we know your ability, but at this time, it's really not too late, and you shouldn't come out... Think about it, if you make a move at this time, do you want to move if there are similar troubles elsewhere? I also went to help here, and I also went to help there. Under the disturbance, suddenly a master of alchemy from the imperial court came out, and you were transferred again. , but it’s been more than half a year since the three campaigns, is it impossible if one pops up?”

Zhang Xing also realized that he was getting angry, and Xiong Bonan's special status was not something he could scold at will, so he didn't care about his face, and immediately stepped forward, grabbed the other hand, held the other hand for a while To explain:
"Xiong Tianwang, I was rude for a while, please forgive me, don't you know what you and Liu Zhang, the two leaders, and the thousand elites here are going to do?"

Xiong Bonan came back to his senses, and he felt a little helpless, but luckily the three top officials immediately came to lift him up, so he could only nod his head: "It's really a bit confused."

"You guys are trump cards!" Zhang Xing said sincerely. "On the battlefield, the trump card is used to determine the outcome, because one is the most powerful, and the second is used, and the hand is empty... This time we will eat three counties, 24 counties, in one go. There are more than 30 cities, hundreds of cities, cities, and crossings. Tonight, we can only take a few operating cities in Jiyin and Dongjun; Dongping County will also be captured, and the bandits in Juyeze and other officials and bandits in the three counties who have not joined the powerful and fleeing officials in the three counties will be attacked; in the end, all the towns and cities will be controlled and order will be maintained. The gathering of righteousness was successful...wouldn't it be ridiculous if he used his trump card that night?"

Xiong Bonan could hear that the other party was subtly admiring him, and he had a headache because of those steps and the number of strongholds, so he immediately nodded hurriedly: "It's really ridiculous."

At this point in the conversation, everyone's face has passed, and it's time to live in peace.

However, Zhang Xing hesitated for a moment, and continued on: "Besides, there are some things that should be said now... King Xiong Tian, ​​your army, apart from dealing with unexpected and solid enemies, In fact, the biggest function is to supervise the war and discipline... We are not gangsters, but to do big things. If some gang leaders are not determined, so that they deceive the top and the bottom, run away, or someone violates restraint and kills innocent people, we will instead You are dispatched immediately, and it is up to you to follow the rules!"

What he said was so clear that Li Shu and Taoist Wei came to watch. Jia Yue, Zhang Jinshu, and Liu Zhouchen were all startled, and Niu Da turned pale.

However, Xiong Bonan, the purple-faced heavenly king, was even paler than Niu Da.

"Xiong Tianwang, do you understand? We are rebelling in Juzhou County. We are doing the whole gang, including their families and subordinates, and thousands of people will lose their heads." Seeing this, Zhang Xing sighed in his heart. , instead dragging the other party and not letting go. "After today, I'm afraid that tens of thousands of people will be reduced to the point where they must be killed in the eyes of the court... If you have any sense of loyalty, and you don't even have the awareness of strict military discipline, what kind of righteousness is there? Why not go to Taibai It’s good for Feng to become a Taoist priest! King Xiongtian, do you understand?”

Xiong Bonan looked to one side of Wei Xuanding as if asking for help, but Taoist Wei had no strength in his hands at this time, but his face was serious instead, and he tried his best to look back and forth.

Xiong Tianwang had no choice but to meet Zhang Xing's scorching state and could only nod his head: "I see."

Only then did Zhang Xing let go, and sat aside, waiting for the documents from Baima City... But since he sat down, the surroundings seemed to freeze, the people who were sitting were sitting still, and those who were standing were standing , for a while, only the flames in the brazier danced occasionally and brought crackling sounds.

After all, these people still find it difficult to adapt to the existence of a supervising team in a gang.

In other words, some people are still a little confused about the significance of this incident.

Just like that, the crowd waited for about a quarter of an hour, when they suddenly heard the sound of horseshoes outside and the fluttering of beetles. Immediately, two soldiers hurriedly led a messenger to the central courtyard of Niujiazhuang.

"You are Xu Dalang's confidant, come here at this time, but have the documents from Baima City arrived?" Niu Da felt relieved when he saw the person coming, and asked proactively.

"No." The visitor took a few breaths, obviously extremely tired, but still couldn't hide his joy. "Report to the chief, the two leaders, and several other leaders. I am from Weinan, and Weinan City is already ours!"

This is of course good news, but everyone was almost stunned at the same time, because Weinan County was sandwiched between Puyang and Baima, in order to ensure the acquisition of these two important cities, the Dragon Gang gave up on Weinan in the middle.

They didn't send anyone to Weinan at all.

"Who took Wei Nancheng?" Chief Wei Xuanding couldn't help but stepped forward and asked. "How did you get it?"

"My family's head Xu got it with his father, the old master Xu." The messenger hurriedly explained. "It has been more than half a year since the old village owner Xu moved outside Weinan City, and he often spends money to associate with local officials, soldiers, and heroes. The people who usually made friends suddenly mobilized after dark, surrounded the county government office, and then raided and killed Weinan county magistrate."

"Okay, okay, okay!" Li Shu stood up suddenly and pointed his palms at him. "Brother Xu is so courageous! Go and rest!"

The messenger retreated, and the atmosphere was rather awkward, because everyone couldn't help but look at Niu Da.

The contrast is too strong.

They are all fathers. Xu Shiying's father, Xu Wei, did not get any request, but he worked so hard at the critical moment, and the effect was remarkable. Niu Da's father, Niu Shuang, had clearly promised all the time, but in the end he pulled back...a helper son, A pitiful son... And these gazes almost made Niu Da feel like he was sitting on pins and needles.

Fortunately, another quarter of an hour later, the new courier arrived as scheduled and delivered the agreed document to persuade them to surrender.

Niu Da was relieved again, Zhang Xing also immediately took the documents, together with Jia Yue, led a group of soldiers to Puyang City.

After entering the city, Zhang Xing realized that the situation in the city was even worse than expected... Although Niu Da's father Niu Shuang was still besieging Cangcheng, Niu Da also left troops to try to maintain order, but Cangcheng was deadlocked in the dark No less, sporadic turmoil has already been caused, and some obviously crying for help have also appeared in various places in the city away from the confrontation area.

Zhang Xing didn't dare to be negligent, and directly asked Jia Yue to send a hundred people to deal with it to strengthen law and order, while he and Niu Da went straight to Cangcheng.

Niu Shuang also seemed to realize the seriousness of the problem, and flinched for a while, hiding among the county soldiers and common people who gathered together, not daring to go forward to greet him.

But Niu Da couldn't wait, he rode forward and shouted: "Magistrate of Guan County, Commander Wang! Baima and Weinan have already surrendered, the county capital Wei Dou has already surrendered, the county king and county minister have surrendered, and the existing county The Chinese book is here, whether it is true or false, you should recognize it, and you can tell it at a glance! It’s still the same sentence, if it is surrendered, my third brother Zhang promises you to leave the country safely with your family.”

As he said that, he mobilized his true energy and threw the document tied with heavy objects and wrapped in cloth directly into the courtyard of Cangcheng.

"it is true."

After a while, Guan Xu, the magistrate of Puyang County who was sweating profusely, read the documents under the torch, and his sweat became more dense. "The hall seal is correct, and I can recognize Jun Jun's handwriting. Even the paper is made of soft paper made by Jun Jun's own paper workshop brought from Kansai... The white horse is indeed gone. They didn't lie to us. It can't be done by cheating For the sake!"

"What does the county lord mean..." a big man, Ang Zang, asked seriously. "Promise them? Do you want the leader named Zhang to promise in person?"

"No!" Guan Xu wiped off his sweat, threw the document on the ground, stood up, and even stepped on it twice. "How can a man give up the lives of the whole family, old and young, to others?"

"Then..." The big man continued to ask. "Does the county lord want to be loyal to the country?"

"That's right, but it's not what you think." Magistrate Guan twirled his beard and walked around, then stopped suddenly, and spoke seriously to the big man. "We have soldiers, food, high walls, and a master like you. Just try to delay it as long as possible. When it is really unbearable, it will be dawn in the shortest time, and it will be three to five days later. It is best that no other counties in the county Now, it’s not too late for us to surrender... Tell me, does this count as being loyal to the country? Maybe we can make an explanation to the imperial court and go home safely.”

The big man was obviously puzzled: "But if the delay continues for a long time, and these thieves get angry, how can they allow us to leave the country safely?"

"Why not?" Magistrate Guan sneered, but he just paced around the courtyard. "This group of thieves, whose leaders are Li Shu and Zhang Xing, who are vicious thieves, have contacted so many local tyrants, suddenly mobilized, and know how to maintain order in the city, are still arresting thieves and kings in the counties, and persuading them to surrender everywhere. The plan is huge. And since this is the case, they must be extremely careful and important to the storage behind us... Otherwise, what will they use to buy people's hearts and raise soldiers? Procrastinate, don't expect to procrastinate forever, but try to procrastinate as long as possible, when the time comes So what if I trade with them with the autumn grain in the warehouse? Let me tell you, even if they are famous and rampant for a while, they should give way to me!"

The big man nodded: "Then go to the warehouse and prepare fire starters?
"Not for the time being, you just lean over." Magistrate Guan nodded. "The main reason is that there are a lot of soldiers in the local county. If we really need to prepare those things, I'm afraid there will be trouble."

The big man knew it and left.

After a while, the time was approaching the second half of the second watch. Just when the county magistrate of Cangcheng was determined to stick to it, the people outside couldn't help getting restless, and many people who followed couldn't help but feel tired. The state is fully revealed.

"How long has it been since the documents were sent in?"

At this moment, Zhang Xing suddenly turned to ask Niu Da's father, Niu Shuang.

Niu Shuang was caught off guard and didn't know how to deal with it for a while. Niu Da was even more ashamed and angry, and immediately bowed down again: "Third Brother, let my father attack from the front, and I will lead people to climb over from behind. This matter will definitely be settled tonight. .”

"Wait a moment."

Zhang Xing answered blankly. "Wait a little longer, wait until this time is invalid, then it's okay to do it again."

"What does the third brother intend to do?" Niu Da was extremely surprised.

"Simple." Zhang Xing suddenly turned his head and asked the soldiers and civilians gathered behind him. "Can you sing?"

The soldiers and civilians who raised the righteousness were caught off guard, and no one responded for a while.

Zhang Xing asked again: "Can any of you sing ballads?"

"Yes."

"It should be."

Quite a few people were already tired and tired. They seemed caught off guard when they were stared at and questioned, and could only respond vaguely.

"What songs will they sing?" Zhang Xing asked earnestly, and even called the names directly. "The one with the stick and the knife, what do you know?"

"A few, but they're all messy local ditties." The man flinched momentarily. "Don't be a big boss to sing in front of you."

"Is there something more vulgar? Anything is fine." Zhang Xing couldn't ask.

"Have……"

"Would you like to sing one?" Zhang Xing asked with a smile. "I want to learn."

The man hesitated for a while, but he didn't dare to disobey after all, but after careful consideration, he chose one that wasn't too vulgar, and then cheered up and sang:
"Go out the east gate and don't care about returning.

Come to the door, feel sad.

There is no bucket of rice in the ounce, and there is no hanging clothes on the shelf.

Draw your sword and go to the east gate, the children and mothers in the house hold their clothes and cry:
"His family hopes to be rich and honored, and the humble concubine will share food with the king..."

"

After singing for a while, the people around cheered up a little, and they all turned their heads to look at the singer, and some even whispered, saying how well they recognized him.

Zhang Xing also nodded: "This means that the poor in the city can't afford to support their families, and it's been a long time. It's like a song from the Tang Dynasty, isn't it?"

"Yes." The man was embarrassed for a moment.

"That's right." Zhang Xing continued to nod, but continued to ask again. "Are there any farmers? Do they know farm songs?"

"Yes! This one can sing!" This time, someone below immediately agreed loudly and started shoving, but the person being shoved seemed a little shy under the torch.

"Come one." Zhang Xing urged immediately. "one comes"

The man faltered for a while, then walked up to him and sang:
"One east and one west ridge head water, one gathers and one disperses the clouds on the horizon.

Come and go, the guests are on the way, and the numbness in the pool is turned upside down. "

This is still a deliberate choice of elegance.

Zhang Xing smiled, and asked helplessly, "Is there anyone who sings Yeding? Don't want that "Wuxiang Dongyilang Death Song", we should have local Puyang."

The man obviously let go a little bit, just nodded, then lit up his voice in the night, and sang again:
"It is better to serve as a servant to build a city than to guard a border.

It is better to fight a bloody battle than to dig a long time in service.

Disciples exhaust their forks and pestles, and the Lord will make meritorious soldiers suffer.

Don't you see,
Every time a soldier is transferred to a hundred households, ten people kill four or five people a day..."

Halfway through the singing, many people started to sing along, causing Zhang Xing to nod his head again and again, while Niu Da and his son and Jia Yue who had already turned back looked at this scene blankly, full of doubts, but didn't know how to deal with it.

After singing one time, Zhang Xing nodded, and finally asked seriously: "It's too late, and I'm a little sleepy, can I trouble the two old brothers to teach you to sing these three ballads together? Let's sing together!"

The leader has orders, what can the people below do?

What's more, these three songs are meant to be sung by many people...the first one is a song for the urban poor, the second one is a serious farm ballad, and the third one is known to almost everyone.

So, after teaching it a few times, many people took the initiative to sing along, and their voices became louder and louder.

However, within a quarter of an hour or two, the already dreary city of Puyang came back to life inexplicably. Many men and women sang in the dark, and it became louder and louder, unstoppable.

By the time of the third watch, there were songs from all sides, and even the ballads were no longer the simple three songs, and even the county soldiers in Cangcheng sang along.

Then suddenly, these county soldiers started shouting over the wall and fled voluntarily.

But someone is faster than these pawns.

At this moment, the gate of Cangcheng opened, and the county junguan Xu came out sweating profusely, and bowed down to a crowd of people who had stopped singing in front of him:
"Which one is Zhang Longtou? Mr. Guan first saw the Golden Ring in the city today, and then heard the songs of the East County on all sides. He knew that he had met a real hero. Now he is convinced and is willing to donate his storage, just for the life of his family."

Niu Da looked back at Zhang Xing in astonishment, only to find it unbelievable, and Jia Yue was even more stunned.

Zhang Xing thought for a while, and instead of rushing to help him up, he asked seriously, "Can Mr. Guan Xian sing? I want to hear a song."

PS: Good night everyone.

(End of this chapter)