Lord: Start with a book of Water Margin

Chapter 447 War of words
In the past two days, Zhu Wu and Liu Hui Niang have been busy selecting soldiers and sorting out military supplies.

Hu Sanniang and Chen Liqing naturally heard about it as well, so they found Zhao Zhen and wanted to go with him.

Zhao Zhen refused and said to the two, "Madam, our base is Liangshan Prefecture, and we are here to help in this foggy world. Let's not talk about other things for now, just this weather is unbearable. If you are not careful, your fingers and toes will be frozen off at best, and some people will even have their limbs amputated at worst. I heard that some people even had their ears frozen off."

Chen Liqing curled her lips and said, "My husband didn't want me to go with him, so he should have just said so. Why lie to me? I heard from Hui Niang that you had people make a few sets of battle robes with gun cotton cloth and gave them to the commander. The soldiers also have sheepskin coats and wolfskin mattresses, so how could their fingers and toes freeze off?"

Zhao Zhen heard this and stepped forward to embrace the two of them. He said, "Hey, even with this kind of protection, there are still places that cannot be protected. In addition to these, [Divine Doctor] An Daoquan has also prepared frostbite ointment, and the treasury has also taken out ten carts of strong liquor to keep out the cold. In this weather, we can't even set up camp. We can only use carriages to roughly circle around. The camp is small, and it is even more inconvenient to bring female riders. Next time there is a chance, I will take you there again."

After two days of busy work, the soldiers and baggage were ready. Early that morning, Zhao Zhen led a group of soldiers and carriages back to the main world.

When Zhao Zhen arrived, Gao Hu, Gao Yuan and others had also arrived.

The drying field was full of cavalry and infantry soldiers, all of whom were strong and sturdy. They were well-armored and armed, and they were good at fighting. Especially the huge carriages and artillery pulled by thirty Shire horses, Gao Yuan finally put down his worries. After all, Gao Hu and Zhao Zhen were not optimistic about this operation, and Gao Yuan was worried that Zhao Zhen would have reservations.

After the greeting, Gao Yuan did not waste any time and took out the key to the foggy world [Haiqu Lu Mu]. The power of time and space covered everyone, and in an instant, everyone moved into the foggy world.

I opened my eyes and heard the shouts of people and the neighing of horses, breaking the silence of the wilderness.

Zhao Zhen looked around the foggy world from his horse. There was a thick layer of snow under his feet, just above the horse's hooves. The sky was filled with leaden clouds, and the cold wind was blowing. Zhao Zhen took a breath of cold air. He had encountered the weather he least wanted to encounter. Looking around, he saw a city in the distance to the west.

Just as Zhao Zhen was about to speak, Gao Yuan called out anxiously, "Brother, sister-in-law, what should we do in this weather?"

Zhao Zhen looked around and saw nothing but white. Fortunately, he had anticipated this. Zhao Zhen said, "Since we are here, let's attack the city. It's not good to go back in disgrace."

Gao Hu also said: "That's right, we have a strong army and horses, how can we be content if we don't give it a try."

The three of them had made their plan. Zhao Zhen asked Wang Tianba and Tang Bin to lead the cavalry first, both to explore the way and to guard against surprise attacks in the city.

Wang Tianba and Tang Bin obeyed the order, mounted their horses and took a detour to the north of Haiqu County.

Gao Hu's subordinates were all infantrymen, driving the carriages behind, while Zhao Zhen, leading the infantry, was at the end.

As soon as everyone started to move, they saw smoke signals on the city wall. Ji Minghan said to Zhao Zhen, "My husband, in this weather, why don't you go to the nearest city gate, but go to the north gate instead?"

Zhao Zhen said: "Today the wind is blowing from the north. Looking at the weather, I am afraid it will snow again. With the wind and snow, the visibility will be better. Looking at the weather, we can only capture this city today or tomorrow. If we cannot capture it in two days, we can only go back."

Seeing Ji Minghan's confusion, Zhao Zhen said, "The snow is already above the instep. If there is another heavy snowfall, it will be even more difficult to move around. Even if we camp in the wild, the horses and men will not be able to bear it."

It seemed that what Zhao Zhen said was heavy. Ji Minghan stopped talking, lowered his head, and hurried on his way silently.

Liu Hui Niang, who was wrapped tightly, said, "My lord, you have brought artillery for siege. As long as we can knock down a section of the city wall, we will win. If we can't knock down the city wall or the gate in two days, we won't be able to climb up in this weather."

Everyone stopped at a distance of three arrows from the city wall. Zhao Zhen had the carriages unloaded and roughly surrounded the camp.

Looking at the soldiers and militiamen standing on the top of the city wall, with battering rams, cannonballs, ash bottles, and gold juice being prepared in an orderly manner, Zhao Zhen said to Gao Hu and Gao Yuan, "Brothers, it's inconvenient to move in this weather. I'm afraid it's impossible to climb the city wall with ladders. I brought cannons and thunderbolts. If we can blast open the city wall, everything will be fine. If not, we will have to go back tomorrow at the latest." Gao Hu said, "What my brother-in-law said is right. I did bring eight catapults and will go forward with us. Today, while the soldiers are not frozen through, we will attack the city wall with all our strength. My brother-in-law has attacked the city before, so today we will follow his instructions."

Gao Yuan also hurriedly said after hearing this: "It's all thanks to my brother-in-law."

Zhao Zhen did not refuse and immediately asked Wang Tianba and Tang Bin to split into two groups and patrol around the city.

If a large group of soldiers leave the city, there is no need to engage in battle. Just report it in advance and let the camp be prepared.

After hearing this, Wang Tianba and Tang Bin took the order and left.

Zhao Zhen also ordered Ling Zhen to lead people to set up three invincible general cannons to two arrows' distance in front of the city gate and fire at the city gate. Twenty flying thunders were also set up and placed to the left of the city gate. Liu Hui Niang personally planned and bombarded the top of the city.

Gao Hu brought eight catapults and placed them to the right of the city gate.

Battering rams, hook carts and ladders were all deployed, and Li Kui, Li Gun and Xiang Chong led the troops and stood in front of the three formations respectively.

The divisions were decided, and everyone stepped forward.

Zhao Zhen said to Li Kui, "Tie Niu, do you dare to challenge me?"

Li Kui laughed and said, "Sir, why not? I just don't know what to say."

After hearing this, Zhu Wu said to Li Kui, “That’s all. That’s all.”

Li Kui listened and said, "This is simple."

As he spoke, Li Kui held two axes in his hands and walked towards the city gate. Li Gun and Xiang Chong saw him and quickly took up their banners and stepped forward to protect him.

Li Kui stood at the foot of the city and shouted, "Listen, people on the city wall. It's cold today, so I'm going to the city to keep warm. Open the city gates quickly. If you dare to say no, I'll kill you with my axe."

The county magistrate on the city wall heard this and said to the county lieutenant and county magistrate beside him: "You two, the strong soldiers outside the city do not look like the Tiger Army led by Lu Mu. Do you know where these strong men came from?"

After hearing this, the county lieutenant poked his head out from behind the parapet and shouted to Li Kui and the other two, "Where did these bandits come from? How dare you come to disturb the city of the Great Xin Dynasty? Do you know that you are tired of living?"

Li Kui laughed and said, "What great new dynasty? Master Liangshan [Black Whirlwind]. If you cherish your life, open the city gate quickly."

After hearing this, the three county magistrates on the city wall looked at each other in bewilderment.

The county lieutenant said, "Your Excellency the Magistrate, I will go and meet him. If we can kill this man under the city, it will also dampen his fighting spirit, and the city will be easier to defend."

The county magistrate said, "No, in this weather, the rebels down there can't hold out for more than a few days. As long as we guard the city walls, we won't be afraid of the rebels staying for a long time."

(End of this chapter)