delicious farm girl

Chapter 525 Still Being Squeezed Out

The fire started in the middle of the night.

The fire was so intense that it shot up to the sky in an instant, lighting up the surroundings of the capital as bright as day.The soldiers guarding the surrounding area of ​​the capital woke up from their sleep and immediately rushed to put out the fire with water.But because the flames were too high, the drop in the bucket was useless. In the end, we could only watch several granaries burn to ashes.

Naturally, such a big matter cannot be hidden.The generals immediately went back to the barracks to write the memorial and hand it to the emperor.

The emperor was furious after seeing it: "A bunch of trash! On the night of the New Year's Eve, I specially rewarded them with delicious food and wine, and they returned it to me like this?"

"Your Majesty, please calm down. Although the food and grass on the three roads were burned, the Jingnan Road was not robbed, and the bandit was captured alive. This is also a happy event. As long as the captured bandit is tortured, I am not afraid that he will not honestly explain the whereabouts of his accomplices. If the imperial court sends troops, they will definitely be able to wipe them all out!" Yue Shilang of the Ministry of War said hurriedly.

The emperor snorted coldly. "Out of the four roads outside Beijing, three of them were burnt for food and grass. Do you have the nerve to call it a happy event?"

Yue Shilang shuddered, and hastily wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

In fact, he still has nothing to say!The main reason why the grain and grass on Jingnan Road were not burned was that Xie Fang, the guard of Jingnan Road, admired King Zhenxi very much. King Zhenxi said at the beginning that everyone should strengthen their guard to guard the capital, and he immediately followed suit.Later, under the guidance of the emperor, all the courtiers and military generals regarded Li Er as a person who was alarmist in order to publicize his reputation, and said everywhere that a war was about to start, so those who were close to him at the beginning gradually alienated opened.But Xie Fang didn't.He still followed Li Er's instructions, and he didn't relax his vigilance on New Year's Eve. Instead, he went out to make inspections by himself, and then captured the thief who came quietly and planned to set fire to the food and grass.

If the emperor knew the inside story, he would definitely be even more angry, right?
The Minister of the Ministry of War waited for Yue Shilang to be severely beaten before slowly opening his mouth: "Your Majesty, now that the facts have been cast, it is not the time to be angry. Now General Zhang has led people to chase after the person who set fire to the food and grass. It must be soon." This group of thieves can be arrested and brought to justice. Right now, the food and grass of the three routes are being burned, and the loss is huge. We must consider dispatching food and grass from other places as soon as possible. Also, the fire is so big that it has already attracted people's discussion. It is inevitable that the people panic, The imperial court must give a reasonable explanation."

"On the night of the New Year's Eve, they set fire to the food while the defenders were not prepared. They are indeed hateful! Once this group of people are caught, they must be delayed, so as to make an example to others!" The emperor gnashed his teeth and shouted angrily.

"Yes!" The Minister of the Ministry of War and the Minister of the Ministry of War and the officials of the Ministry of War nodded quickly.

"Then... Your Majesty, should the protection around the capital also be strengthened?" The Minister of War asked again in a low voice.

Although during the Chinese New Year, the protection of the capital city and even the imperial city has been strengthened.But now, since something like this has happened, the court is naturally more vigilant, and it is only natural to strengthen defenses.

"Do you still need to ask this?" The emperor gave him a cold look, "However, during the New Year's Day, the guards of the palace can be left to Commander Zuo."

"Yes!" Minister of the Ministry of War nodded quickly.

The fire was so big outside the city that the people in the villages and towns around the fire did not fall asleep in the middle of the night.Early the next morning, the news naturally spread throughout the capital, and Su Ran also heard about it.

After Li Er heard the news, he immediately went out to inquire about the situation.

He didn't come back until lunchtime.

"How is it?" Brother Quan, Brother An and Mr. Yuan were already waiting here.As soon as he came back, everyone rushed to ask about the situation.

Li Er's face was sullen. "All the food and grass of the defenders on Jingdong Road, Jingxi Road, and Jingbei Road were burned, and nothing was left. But in order to stabilize the people's hearts, the court only said that someone pushed down the candles and lit the tent in the middle of the night. The fire has been extinguished , it's all right now."

"It's okay? All the food and grass of the defenders in the capital of the three routes were burned, and the fire was so big last night, they made up such an excuse to prevaricate the people. Do they really think the people are fools?" Mr. Yuan snorted coldly.

"However, if it is not the case, the people will panic, and the effect will be even worse?" Brother Quan said in a low voice.

An Ge'er is concerned about another aspect: "So, some thieves broke into the barracks in the middle of the night? They are so brave! Have they been caught now? Is there anyone at large? Where did they flee to?" direction?"

As he spoke, he was gearing up, feeling the urge to get on his horse and compete with this group of daring thieves.

Li Er glanced at him lightly. "Three of the thieves on Jingnan Road were caught, and the rest ran away. Now someone is chasing them."

"They all ran away? They ran away from Beijing?" Mr. Yuan asked.

Li Er nodded.

Mr. Yuan couldn't help frowning. "It stands to reason that the food supply for most of the defenders in the capital has become a big problem after the raid burned the food and grass. This group of people should immediately rebel and besiege the capital! Why are they still running out?"

"Maybe this is just an illusion they made for the imperial court to lure the troops outside. When the defense of the capital is empty, they will rise up again!" An Geer said hurriedly, "It's so loud, it's said in the military book !"

"That's too simple." Li Er shook his head.

Mr. Yuan also raised his eyebrows. "I always feel that this matter is not simple. So now, has the court reacted?"

"Of course. The emperor has ordered people to go to the south to urgently mobilize food and grass, and he also ordered Jiangling Xie Fang, the defender of Jingnan Road, to lead his men to guard the capital. Commander Zuo has also been called back urgently, and led his men to guard around the palace in case of emergencies. "Li Er said quietly.

"What about you, brother-in-law? Why didn't the emperor tell you to go back after such a big incident?" Brother Quan asked.

Li Er shook his head. "No."

Everyone couldn't help gasping.

"Your majesty, he... is too small-minded! What time is it, and he is still so guarded against you!" Brother Quan whispered.

Li Er remained silent with a sullen face.Mr. Yuan sighed in a low voice: "He is such a person. Otherwise, why did things come to this point?"

However, seeing that Li Er was already in a bad mood, they were smart enough not to say more.Everyone sighed a few more words, and they all dispersed.

After they all left, Su Ran slowly walked to Li Er's side.

"Are you okay?" she asked softly.

"It's okay." Li Er replied lightly, "Actually, I expected this ending. Since the emperor took his confidant ministers to mock me in public yesterday, and then reused me the next day, isn't he just trying to save face? In order to save his face, he will definitely not ask me to go back to take on important responsibilities. After all, the court is not without capable people, and he does not have to use me."

This dull tone clearly shows that he is already very lost in his heart.

At this time, if you are still excluded, everyone will be lost.

"By the way, I remember that the thieves would burn the food and grass of the defenders outside Beijing. You wrote this action in the memorial to the emperor before?" Su Ran asked suddenly.

Li Er nodded. "Yes. Since those people have sufficient food and grass, they have the capital to fight against the imperial court. However, their military strength is naturally incomparable with the imperial court, so the best way is to weaken the combat effectiveness of the imperial army before raising troops. It would be best to cause confusion in the army, so that their chances of success will be higher. This is very likely to be their first step, and I have already written this in the first memorial." Li Er said in a deep voice.

Now, his prediction came true.

But so what?After being slapped in the face like this once, the emperor must have turned from embarrassment into anger, and he didn't want to see him in a short time.The so-called imperial face is really ridiculous.

"Then, now that they run away after burning the food and grass, do you think this is really just a strategy for them to bludgeon?" Su Ran asked him again.

"Not necessarily. It is also possible that they will attack in two lines." Li Er blurted out.

It can be seen from this that he had already gone through all the possible situations in his heart after he heard the news.It's a pity that the emperor refused to listen to these words, and he had no one to talk to, so he was naturally aggrieved.

Su Ran began to feel distressed.

She quickly took his hand. "Then tell me well what you think about this matter."

Li Er looked at her. "You want to hear it?"

"Yes, I want to hear it." Su Ran nodded, "Although I don't understand, but it's already reached this time, I think there will definitely be big things happening next. Then, I will listen to more relevant strategies. In the event of an accident, I can also have a way to deal with it in my heart. What do you think?"

Li Er's eyes darkened, and he nodded immediately. "Okay, I'll tell you all."

(End of this chapter)