Red Mansion: Bastards rule the roost

Chapter 182 Dark clouds over the city 1
  "One! Two!"

"Drink! Ha!"

Wang Jin stood on the high platform, shouting numbers and rehearsing various fighting moves. Under the stage, more than a thousand soldiers of the border army and a group of prisoners were shouting and practicing. Su Can, Deng Lei, Lei Tai, Kong Xing and other officers were on the sidelines to supervise and correct.

Everyone is holding back their energy and must lead their troops to show their authority and reputation on the battlefield.

All the prisoners knew Jia Cong's temper. If they could not show their value on the battlefield, Jia Cong would never let them eat and wait to die. In order to survive for a few more days, they would train with all their lives.

On the city wall, Jia Cong held a telescope, overlooking the school grounds, and nodded with satisfaction. It seemed that the prisoners were not mud that could not be supported on the wall. As long as there were strict military laws, they could fight.

"Your Excellency, the second batch of supplies has all arrived." At this time, Youjia came over to reply.

Jia Cong waved Yan Shuangying to pay the bill and said: "This batch is all armors, weapons and clothing. Take out the one thousand sets of armors and distribute them to the able-bodied men in the army. Lei Tai and the other four sentry commanders also each A war horse, a set of weapons, armor and clothing."

"Yes."

"In the past few days, we have cleaned up a few stubborn ones. The prisoners have also learned some rules and understood that the army is not a place and there is no room for them to act arrogantly." Jia Cong said with a smile.

"This is because the adults have clear rewards and punishments and lead the troops well, so the prisoners are naturally convinced." You Jia said with a smile.

Jia Cong waved his hand: "Obedience is obedience, but happiness may not necessarily mean it. I think Lei Tai and Xie Hui are very high-spirited, and they are not willing to sink. They are worthy of training."

You Jia said happily: "They all have unique skills and smart minds. They know that adults will be rewarded for their merits, and they are of noble birth. Who doesn't want to win your favor, or they can change their fate against the will of heaven, and be proud of themselves. If there is a choice, who would want to be a thief? If you join the army, you will never be able to turn around in your life."

Jia Cong said: "I know there are always opportunities to make progress. According to my words, the prisoners have practiced hard and worked diligently these days. Each meal will include an extra cake and a bowl of clear soup. As for whether they can eat meat, it depends on their own abilities."

"These thieves are really virtuous from their ancestors for eighteen generations. When they meet such a wise and kind general as your lord, they immediately go to deliver orders." You Jia happily handed over.

Within a moment, loud cheers erupted from the school grounds.

"Thank you, Lord Defense, for showing mercy! We will kill the enemy to the death and defend the city."

Jia Cong took back his telescope and turned to look at the northern sky. Large dark clouds were gathering, low and rolling. Occasionally, there was a trace of lightning in the clouds, which seemed to indicate that a violent storm was coming.

"Brother Cong, the function of the Shifang Temple Fort is to warn. Therefore, after lighting the beacon smoke, you can defend it if you can, and abandon it if you can't. It's not a big deal. Don't show off. It's important to take care of your own safety." Before departure, Yang Xiong The secret instructions suddenly echoed in Jia Cong's mind.

Jia Cong took a deep breath, what is it that can be defended and what is not defended? If you don't defend it, how do you know whether you can defend it or not?
  Although Yang Xiong had good intentions, it was easy for him to break out of the siege with his own horse, spear in his hand, Wang Jin and others, and personal guards. But how could these two thousand soldiers retreat? If you leave the city and are exposed to the Tatar cavalry, you will definitely die.

How could he let the border soldiers who respected him so much die so cowardly? How will I lead my troops in the future? Jia Cong secretly made up his mind to never abandon the city! ——
  In the sixth year of Xifeng, it is night on September 28th.

Jia Cong camped in the meeting hall.

The key officers and generals in the army gathered together and each reported on the recent situation.

"Your Excellency, after working day and night, two tunnels connecting the mountains and forests on the left and right sides have been dug. They are about 4 miles long and can accommodate two people standing side by side. Twelve four-foot-high arrow towers have also been built in the city. Each city wall Three seats." Yu Hong said.

"Your Majesty, all the soldiers in the army are well fed, their morale is like a rainbow, and their skills in shooting with swords and guns have improved quite a lot. In addition, the Xinghuo Battalion has been fully staffed and has initially formed an army. The sergeants all have some basic skills in riding. After training, they are making great progress with each passing day." Wang Jin said .

"Your Excellency, the camp training has been completed and we are eager to fight." Su Can said.

"Your Excellency, all the armor, weapons, and clothes brought by me have been distributed, and the first month's salary has also been distributed to all the sergeants. Everyone is grateful for your kindness," Fan Ming said.

"My lord, all the criminals are grateful for your generosity. They have practiced hard. Now they are eager to perform meritorious service and can be used. However, without actual combat, I don't know what the foundation is." Lei Tai, Xie Hui and others said.

"Your Majesty, according to reports from the scouts, several large tribes and more than a dozen small tribes of the steppe Tatars are gathering in the north. On our road alone, it is initially estimated that there are more than...more than 100,000 people controlling strings." You Jia said happily.

Everyone secretly took a breath, are the Tatars going to counterattack the Central Plains?
  Jia Cong waved his hand and said: "Let's not talk about whether these 100,000 people are exaggerating. Even if there are really 100,000 people, they are not here to attack us. A mere 100,000 people want to attack Fengtian City and Liaodong Town? Everyone, what if you are Tatars? Your Majesty, how many troops are you willing to dedicate to attack this small castle?"

"two thousand."

"Three thousand."

"Three thousand five."

"Four thousand." Everyone laughed as they talked. Based on the resources Jia Cong invested in Shifang Temple Fort, although there were only 2500 defenders, it was not something that three to five thousand people could easily capture. This was also the case for Jia Cong. One of the reasons for having the confidence to stick to it.

Wang Jin said: "When the Tatar army comes to attack, it will definitely not waste time here. It is just a fortress with little oil and water, so it is not worth it. Therefore, it will definitely not be divided into many troops. Three to five thousand people is the limit. We will wait. What are you afraid of?"

Everyone nodded in agreement.

Jia Cong discussed with everyone for a long time, arranged the military affairs, and finally waved his hand and said: "In a word, when the soldiers come, they will block the water and cover it with earth. Pass on my words. I swear to live and die with this city! Anyone who dares to disturb the morale of the army and shake the morale will be killed!"

Everyone shuddered, stood up, clasped their fists, and said, "We swear to live and die together with this city!"

"Just go."

Jia Cong dismissed everyone, got up and returned to the inner room. He remembered the reply he received from Shenjing a few days ago, but he never had time to read it. He quickly opened the box and took out three letters.

One is from Jia Huan, one is from Baochai, and one is from Daiyu.

Jia Cong smiled slightly, and first read Jia Huan's letter. In the letter, he said that he missed him very much, and how he trained hard. He also said that he learned a skill from another coach introduced by Wang Jin, and so on. The third brother came back to discuss, and finally said a few bad words about Baoyu, and that was it.

The letters written by Daiyu and Baochai were much more refined. Not only were the handwritings delicate and elegant, but the envelopes with landscape and water patterns printed on them were also fragrant.

Jia Cong was a little curious about what Daiyu would write, so he opened it and read it first.

Brother Cong Yingjian:
  I have read Qian'er's letter, and my brother really did write a good poem. I saw Sister Debao almost turning into water, and my younger sister admired it. Thinking about it, I am not worthy of my brother's good poems. When passing Yuguan, I only thought of Sister Bao. Fortunately, my brother took pity on me and took me with him despite his busy schedule. It was a kind gesture and deeply touching.

The soldiers at the border are fierce and dangerous. My brother is highly skilled in martial arts and has a heroic temperament. He will not shy away from the target and lead the troops to set an example. I know this from afar. Wanwang must be careful in everything and don't be reckless. You must be aware of the fact that you have lost several lives now.

I hope that I will be able to regain my leisure time and look north day and night.

I sincerely offer this and wish you well.

Year, month and day under the lantern

Jia Cong put down the letter and shook his head in confusion. As expected, he was ridiculed by Daiyu with a gun and a stick. He was immediately relieved. Daiyu knew herself very well and knew that she would not be a coward, so she only taught herself to think twice before acting. How can I repay this affection?

Baochai opened another letter and wrote it very concisely.

Cong'er dismounts:

I'm thinking about it right away, and I see Hua Han in a short time, and I feel so happy and inexplicable. The border season is autumn, and it is expected to be bitter and cold, but I only wish to cherish it. Distracted in two places, lingering in memories, forever in love.

You miss your hometown, but if there is no king in your hometown, it is not your hometown. I hope you return safely and soon, then my heart will return as well, and my hometown will remain as before.

Please take the time to pray for a reply. Photo by Fu Weizhen.

Baochai sincerely welcomes the year, month and day

Why did Sister Bao only write these few sentences? Jia Cong thought about it for a while and realized that Baochai must be afraid that I would be busy with military affairs and would not have time to read it carefully, so he kept his words concise and to the point.

Immediately, tenderness surged in my heart. I took the letter and read it carefully several times. I felt that the letter was short and the love was long, leaving endless thoughts.

Jia Cong sighed. It was indeed the hardest thing to accept the kindness of a beauty.

Suddenly a scream came, and Jia Cong's eyes narrowed.

Ming dysprosium!

This is the method used by the Sentinels to send an emergency message. It has only one meaning: enemy attack!

"Third Master, there is a buzzing sound coming from outside the city!" Yan Shuangying opened the door and came in to report.

"Armor." Jia Cong said calmly.

(End of this chapter)