Mr. Yangui

Chapter 149 Chapter [-]
Jizhou, Anle County.

The city wall was very dilapidated, with many traces on it, and it looked crumbling, as if it could no longer withstand the next devastation, and there was not much food in the city.

Anle County could no longer hold on.

The people have all evacuated to Yuyang County, and maybe they will have to evacuate to the south again in a few days, to the area of ​​Shanggu and Zhuojun, where it is not very safe, and it is relatively safe to go further south, to the area of ​​Yanmen. Safety.

Although the imperial court did not order the King of Beihai and Zhou Sheng to withdraw their troops, they had already set up defense lines around Yanmen, Boling and Hejian. Obviously, they were not optimistic about the defense of Anle County and Liaodong County, and they were planning ahead.

General Zhou Sheng was patrolling the city wall. Looking at the well-organized Khitan barracks not far below the city, and at the soldiers on the city wall who were tired but still determined, he felt a little relieved.

Your Majesty's papers have not arrived yet.

There was no support from the imperial court and no order to retreat.

Even if there was an order to retreat, Zhou Sheng had already made up his mind to fight to the death, because there were still many people on the road. If Anle County fell, and the Khitans relied on the speed of their cavalry, how could those people have a way out.

There is only enough food for two days, and this is the result of frugality. If there is no support, everyone may die in Anle County.

The Khitans obviously knew that Anle County was short of food, and they hadn't attacked in the past few days, and they might not attack in the next few days, trying to drag down the Anle defenders alive.

Although dying in battle is the highest honor for a soldier, Zhou Sheng feels very sad every time he sees those young soldiers die one by one or even in groups.

After decades of fighting, these two years have been the hardest, and I have a lot of emotions.

Since Zhou Sheng recaptured Anle County, the strength of his men has been kept at around [-]. If many people died in the battle, he would recruit troops locally. But now he can’t recruit young people. After repelling the Khitan people, it will not take a few years for them to recover.

"General, Deputy General Shen has a document to send!" The personal guard sent a letter.

Zhou Sheng was refreshed when he heard the words. It has been nearly a month since Shen Tongguang returned to Chang'an, and now he finally heard the news. He quickly took the documents and quickly opened them to read.

After reading it, I was very excited and shouted: "Mo general!"

Standing general Mo Dao set up his horse and bowed his head and said, "The last general is here."

Zhou Shengdao: "I order you to gather two thousand elites and go to the official road in Zhuojun County to meet Deputy General Shen. He has brought a large amount of food and grass, but he is short of manpower. You go to escort the food and grass. In case of enemy attack, no matter who it is, Kill them on the spot, leaving no one alive."

Mo Daocheng was very happy when he heard the words, he cupped his hands and said, "The general will obey!"

As he spoke, he stepped back.

Great, support is finally here.

Zhou Sheng thought for a while, and then said, "Wait, I'll go in person!"

Mo Daocheng stopped and hesitated, "Then Anle County's defense..."

Zhou Shengdao: "The Khitan people clearly want to delay us to death. They won't attack for a few days. Even if they attack, it's no problem for An Le to hold on for a few days. The batch of food and grass is the key. Those bandits can sneak attack once. The second time, you have to be very careful... You just pass on my order and tell the generals to pay attention to their duties. Vice-General Shen is on the way, and I can bring them back in a day or two, don't worry. "

After finishing speaking, he went down, selected two thousand of the most elite troops, and set off with a few meals of dry food.

Shen Tongguang's movements were also very fast, and Zhou Sheng met his food team on the official road that night.

When the two met, they were very excited.

After the gossip was over, Zhou Sheng sighed with emotion for the wiseness of the sage, and finally he did not give up on Jizhou.

Shen Tongguang looked embarrassed, and explained: "These are not supported by the Holy One, but the food of the wealthy households in Zhuo County and Shanggu County. This time they took out all the food in storage."

Zhou Sheng was stunned for a moment, and asked: "Those rich households? I remember that I owed them no less than 100 million taels. Although they didn't say anything, I'm ashamed to see them again. After all, they saved a little property It’s not easy, as soldiers we should protect the people of Great Swallow.”

After a pause, he raised his tone and said, "Did you use too much force?"

For the people in Yuyang Zhuojun and Shanggu, Zhou Sheng felt guilty.

We can’t ask every common people to be so enlightened. Those wealthy households have provided a lot of food before, and it’s already done their best. We can’t put all the pressure on them because of the court’s failure. They also have to eat and have families to support.

Seeing that Zhou Sheng was a little angry, Shen Tongguang quickly waved his hands and said, "How dare my subordinates use force? I just brought 100 million taels of silver from Chang'an City, and I will pay back the previously owed silver taels. This time, they borrowed the grain. Give it to us, and I promised to pay it back after the war.”

Zhou Sheng's complexion improved a little now, and he asked doubtfully, "100 million taels, where did you get it? I remember that the household department and the internal treasury don't have much money, right?"

Shen Tongguang said with emotion, and explained the source of the silver taels in detail: "General Li gave 20 taels, and General Zhou, your son Chengwang took out all the savings of the Zhou family, and sold some properties to collect 20 taels. Two, Zheng Shilang 8 taels, Boss Guo 5 taels, and some other families put together tens of thousands of taels...the other 50 taels were given by the fourth son of the Li family."

Zhou Sheng heard the words and exclaimed: "The fourth son of the Li family? Li Wuchang? He gave 50 taels?"

Shen Tongguang nodded, and said: "He also gave advice to the general, saying that you must win a few big victories in the shortest possible time. In that case, maybe your majesty will withdraw the idea of ​​​​giving up the northern part of Jizhou. Commander Li and Zheng Shilang They have all secretly approached His Majesty, and said to look at the situation in Jizhou, if it is really not good, they will order the withdrawal of troops, and Yanmen has already set up a defense line."

Then I talked about Li Wuchang's suggestion and the opinions of Li Lingwu and Zheng Heng.

It was only then that Zhou Sheng realized that His Majesty had already planned to give up the northern part of Jizhou, and the food was collected by old friends.

Combined with Shen Tongguang's words, after thinking carefully for a long time, Zhou Sheng asked the question in his heart, and said: "That boy Li Wuchang's proposal is very good, but where did he get so much money? It can't be that Commander Li secretly gave it to him. You violated His Majesty's taboo."

Shen Tongguang sighed: "Young Master Wuchang has a guarantee, saying that the money does not belong to the Li family, but his private savings. Commander Li doesn't even know about it. He also told you not to tell it, and don't ask the source of the money."

Zhou Sheng frowned and remained silent for a long time, his eyes were blurred, and he sighed: "Unexpectedly, the one who supported Jizhou in the end turned out to be a playboy who everyone laughed at in Chang'an City. Although I have only met him a few times, I have seen that he has a kind With a compassionate heart, people also have great wisdom, and if he comes to the army, he will surely achieve great achievements."

Shen Tongguang coughed softly, and said: "Mr. Li said that he is not the kind of person who cares about the country and the people. This time, he is willing to spend so much money for the old lady."

Zhou Sheng frowned, not knowing why.

Shen Tongguang explained: "Mr. Li said a word: pity the parents of the world."

After a pause, she continued: "Once Madam found out about An Le's condition, she immediately fell ill. It was Mr. Li who tried his best to rescue Madam. After she woke up, Madam went around looking for money from those big families in Chang'an. I almost knelt down after smiling, but unfortunately no one is willing to help at this juncture except the Li family, the Zheng family and Boss Guo. Mr. Li really couldn't bear it, so he took out 50 taels, and there was only one request , just ask the general not to leak this matter.”

When Zhou Sheng heard what his mother had done, tears welled up in his eyes, and he murmured, "Poor parents all over the world?"

Shen Tongguang said again: "Mr. Li also asked his subordinates to give the general a message, saying that the general must fight a few good battles and go back alive, not for Dayan, not for the people of Jizhou, but for your mother."

Zhou Sheng wiped away the tears that were about to fall, stood up, his expression became resolute, and he said to himself: "Li Wuchang, this time, I, Zhou Sheng, owe you, and the court owes you, not only for Jizhou, but also for the sake of Jizhou." For the sake of my mother, and even more for your wish of Wuchang, I, Zhou Sheng, will definitely do my best to drive the Khitan people back."

After a pause, he said loudly: "Deputy General Shen, pass down the order to rest for an hour, then hurry back to Anle and fight to the death with the Khitans."

"Yes, General!"

……

Li Wuchang, who Zhou Sheng said has a compassionate heart, is now doing something that is not very compassionate.

Since he left Chang'an City to run business soon, Li Wuchang decided to find out the truth about his mother's premature birth. He couldn't ask Mrs. Zhang directly, but of course he could only start with people around Mrs. Zhang.

Steward Qian is an old man of the Zhang family. He has been with the Zhang family for many years, so he must know the truth. After Li Wuchang got mad because he framed the Dongli Restaurant last time, the Zhang family sent him to the Li family's Zhuangzi in order to calm things down. Shi took the blame.

After Li Wuchang asked Fat Bear to lead people to investigate carefully, he made some preparations, and then a group of people went to the Zhuangzi outside Li's city.

"Hello, Steward Qian." In the courtyard of a big house in Zhuangzi, Li Wuchang saw Steward Qian. This guy was quite relaxed, lying on a soft chair, fanning himself, and dozing off.

"Fourth Young Master, it's you!" Qian Butler opened his eyes and found that Li Wuchang was coming, so he quickly got up with a slightly unnatural expression.

Although he took the blame for Mrs. Zhang last time, it was always a fact that he worked together with Zhang Yanbo and Zhang Jincai to prescribe medicine at Dongli Restaurant, so he was very afraid of seeing Li Wuchang, afraid that he would cause trouble

"You are so comfortable!" Li Wuchang walked over, sat on the stool, and looked at Steward Qian with a smile.

Steward Qian didn't know why Li Wuchang came to the Zhuangzi, he was very flustered, with a smile on his face, he said: "The work of the Zhuangzi is quite leisurely, and the little old man is quite at ease."

After a pause, he said cautiously: "The incident at Dongli Restaurant last time was caused by the little old man's lard, and I hope that the fourth young master must not have any experience with the little old man."

Li Wuchang waved his hand and said, "Hey, I haven't taken that matter to heart for a long time, so don't blame yourself. I'm here this time to ask you for advice. I hope your old man won't let me Disappointed."

Steward Qian respectfully stood aside, and said cautiously: "If the fourth young master has anything to ask, the little old man will definitely know everything."

Li Wuchang stared at Steward Qian for a long time, staring at Steward Qian a little unnaturally, and then asked indifferently: "You have been in the Li family for nearly 30 years, do you know why my mother gave birth prematurely?"

Steward Qian was shocked when he heard this, cold sweat broke out on his forehead, and he said tremblingly: "The matter of the fourth lady is quite sad. The doctor said it was an emergency."

Li Wuchang looked at Steward Qian who was obviously lying, shook his head, and said flatly: "Butler Qian, it's not good for you to do this, I treat each other with sincerity, but you just fooled me casually."

Standing up, he came to Steward Qian, and said, "I'll give you one more chance to make it clear, okay?"

The calmer Li Wuchang was, the more nervous Steward Qian was, he could only say: "That's the truth, the little old man knows that much."

How could he tell the truth?

Li Wuchang chuckled, and said in a low voice: "Don't be so nervous, I heard that Steward Qian has one son, three daughters, and seven or eight grandsons in total. That's it, I invited them all here today. The bandits in Yongzhou are rampant recently, if your whole family dies at the hands of the bandits, it should be good, and it can be regarded as a family reunion."

Butler Qian's face instantly turned extremely pale.

Li Wuchang said coldly: "Fat Bear, invite them all out, be more polite."

Fat Bear and his brothers went down sullenly.

Steward Qian's son and daughter, as well as a bunch of grandchildren and grandchildren, all came in.

"Father, are you okay? I heard the fourth young master said that you are always sick and dying. Are you okay?" Steward Qian's son and daughter hurried over to support his old father.

Li Wuchang laughed, and said to Steward Qian's son, "Brother Qian, Steward Qian is fine. I just checked for him. I invite you to come here this time. I also want you to pay more attention to him. Just busy with my own business.”

"grandfather!"

"Grandpa!"

The grandson and grandson all surrounded him, pestering Steward Qian, looking innocent.

Steward Qian was dealing with his grandson and grandson, while looking at Li Wuchang who was smiling and the big men with thick faces beside Li Wuchang, he felt chills in his heart.

"I'm fine. It's just that I have an old problem. You all go into the house and prepare meals. Today, I'm going to treat the Fourth Young Master well. This old problem is thanks to the Fourth Young Master." Steward Qian forced a smile.

Steward Qian's sons and daughters didn't know that the old father was being threatened by Li Wuchang, and thought that Li Wuchang had really cured their father. They all thanked Li Wuchang and brought their children into the house.

"It's shameless to threaten others by killing the whole family, but I can't think of any other good way. Please forgive me, Steward Qian." Li Wuchang cupped his hands at Steward Qing.

Butler Qian's expression showed endless sadness and remorse.

At this point, what else can he do but tell the truth?

(End of this chapter)