Chapter 168
(Thanks to the reader "General Fang" for the red tip.)
The King of the East Sea went to the city and glanced at the other side, his heart sank, and he regretted staying in Iron Broken City.
The entire sky was occupied by tents with dim colors. Groups of cavalry galloped recklessly on the opposite bank, observing the south bank. Some Huns stood on the bank and pointed at the Iron Broken City.
The King of the East Sea felt that he had been discovered, and was even aimed at by the bow and arrow. Although it was separated by a river, it seemed that it was not very safe, so he turned to question the accompanying general, and took advantage of the situation to hide behind the wall.
"There are really 100,000 people?"
"According to the number of tents, it is about 70,000 to 100,000 people." A general replied, this is the conclusion reached after multiple groups of scouts observed with their own eyes.
"So many!" The King of the East Sea had heard this number, but he was still shocked. Back then, when he was in Mayi City, there were 200,000 to 300,000 Chu troops as his backers. He felt that 100,000 Huns were too few, but now he feels "100,000" It was as heavy as a mountain, but he didn't want to be too timid, so he forced a smile: "It's already snowing, and the food and grass are unsustainable. The more Huns, the sooner they will retreat, right?"
Several generals nodded, and one added: "Of course, Iron Broken City has to be defended."
The truth was harsh, and it was difficult for the East Sea King to maintain a smile on his face, so he had to turn around and look to the other side, "Have you already made a plan to defend the city?"
"Yes, General Chai has two plans: the Huns have been watching and observing the river city, and it is likely that they will cross the river there. When they cross the river to clear the stones, the Dongshan Beacon Tower can push down the Muxi Expedition and block it again. aisle."
"Well, yes, it's a good plan. It should be able to block the Huns for a few days. What about the second plan?"
A general pointed to the city of Quicksand to the west, "The river is freezing, and after it becomes thick, the Huns will probably drive straight in from there. General Chai intends to set up a surprise army in the city of Quicksand to ambush the front of the Huns and discourage them."
"Okay." The East Sea King is not very good at leading troops. As long as the generals have a plan, he is a little at ease.
After standing on the city wall long enough, King Donghai tightened his cloak and left the city wall, "The city gate must be closed tightly, the city wall must be firm, and don't give the Huns an opportunity."
Back at the General's Mansion, a group of noble children were waiting for him. A dozen or so people, when they saw the King of the East Sea, immediately stepped forward and bowed humbly. With these people, the King of the East China Sea felt much more at ease, and immediately guessed their purpose. Nodding coldly, he stepped into the main hall.
Sure enough, as soon as the servants who brought tea and water withdrew, the dozen or so people surrounded the King of the East Sea and persuaded him at length.
"Stop, stop." The King of the East Sea circled his fingers for a half and stopped on the son of Marquis Shengjun, "Lou Ji, tell me."
There is a reason for the choice of the East Sea King. Among these people, Lou Ji's father has the highest title.
Lou Ji was familiar with the King of the East Sea, so he was not polite, and immediately said: "Let's leave Iron Broken City, there is still time, the Huns will not be able to cross the river for a while, if we hurry up, we will enter the customs in less than two days."
The East Sea King's fingers continued to move, and stopped on a grand-nephew of Prime Minister Yin Wuxian, "Yin Xiaoyan, what do you say?"
Yin Xiaoyan'er's eyes are not small, but he usually smiles and looks small. At this time, he stared roundly and almost shouted, "Iron Broken City can't be defended! General Zhenbei can't bring back reinforcements! We can't sit still and wait to die. , you have to escape quickly... quickly evacuate!"
"Do you think the same?"
Everyone nodded, Lou Ji said, "It's just an isolated city outside the fortress, is it worth defending? If you want me to say, let's withdraw first, and then the army will be able to bring 30,000 Chu troops back to the gate, which is also a great achievement."
The King of the East Sea thought for a while, "What you said makes sense. Let's go to Chai Yue and talk about it. After all, he is responsible for the military affairs of defending the city."
"But you are the King of the East Sea, and General Zhenbei has appointed you to take charge of the overall situation." Everyone persuaded the King of the East Sea, and they were all happy and relieved.
King Donghai got up, frowning slightly, "There are nearly 500 people in Xungui's camp. It's impossible that you are the only ones who want to retreat. Find more people and go to see Chai Yue together, and put some pressure on him."
"Yes, everyone wants to withdraw, why only let us come forward?"
Not long after, more than 50 noble children gathered in the general's mansion, ready to follow the King of the East Sea to see Chai Yue, and everyone was beaming with joy. The King of the East Sea was not satisfied, so he said a few more names and asked Lou Ji and others to call him.
Zhang Yanghao, Xie Ying, and Ding Hui came, trembling with fear, and their faces were ashen. They had all abandoned the East Sea King in the riverside village, and they were always worried about retribution.
To their surprise, King Donghai was very enthusiastic and greeted him with a smile, "At times like this, let's not hold grudges, let's just be friends."
The three were so moved that they were about to cry, knelt down and repented, and were helped up by the King of the East Sea.
The group went to see Chai Yue mightily, attracting a lot of attention along the way.
Chai Yue lives in a tower in the northwest corner, where he can easily observe the enemy's situation. He is discussing an ambush plan for Quicksand City with more than a dozen generals. Hearing that the King of the East Sea brought a group of noble children to ask for a meeting, he felt a little stunned. , the Chu army in the city was barely stable. If the Xungui camp took the lead in causing trouble, the army would soon collapse, and even General Zhenbei himself would not be able to suppress it.
But refusing to see is not the way, Chai Yue had to let them in. Retiring the officials to both sides, they all had the same thoughts in their hearts: if the noble children wanted to escape, they wouldn't have to take the risk to start a war. Everyone rushed back to the pass, and it was up to who was faster.
More than 50 people walked up to the tower, with the King of the East Sea in the presence, and everyone stood up and did not kneel.
Donghai Wang said: "General Chai, there is something we want to ask you."
"Please speak." Chai Yue stood up to greet him, very politely, he couldn't afford to offend any of these people.
"Why does the Chu army have to guard an isolated city outside the Great Wall?"
Chai Yue had already explained it to many soldiers, and when the King of the East Sea asked him, he had to say it again: "Although Broken Iron City hangs out of the fortress, it is the city of Great Chu. Once in the city, it means turning the offensive into the defensive..."
Lou Ji interrupted: "Isn't it also defensive in Iron Broken City?"
Chai Yue smiled and said: "That's different, Broken Iron City is surrounded by mountains and rivers, and the surrounding terrain is open. As soon as the reinforcements arrive, they can immediately turn from defense to attack. If this city is given to the Huns, the Chu army will retreat to Shenxiongguan. Although it is easy to defend, it is difficult to get out and attack.”
"Well, you defend the city, we..." Lou Ji glanced at the East Sea King, and hurriedly stepped back. In their circle, identity is more important than anything else, and arrogance is arrogance.
Donghai King nodded, "General Chai is right, you want to set up an ambush in Quicksand City?"
"Yes." Chai Yue was puzzled by the attitude of the King of the East Sea, "The Huns are watching the Guanhe City in the east on the surface. I believe this is the reason for the suspicion. Within three days, the Huns' army will surely cross the river from the west. Liusha City. Although it is broken, it is still usable. After dusk, I will send a Chu army to Quicksand City from the bottom of the ridge, and the Huns on the other side can't see it..."
"Enough, you can make a specific plan. I'm here to send you a team of daredevils."
"A man who dares to die?" Chai Yue looked at the fifty or so distinguished children who followed.
Lou Ji and the others also looked at each other, and suddenly understood that the "dare to die" refers to themselves, and they all panicked all of a sudden.
Donghai King said sternly: "You people, from the day you were born, you have been living on state salaries. It is said that the so-called support of soldiers can be used for a thousand days. Da Chu has raised you for several generations, can't you get a 'dare to die'?"
Everyone was speechless, not only ashamed, but more shocked. They never imagined that such words would come out of the mouth of the East Sea King.
"Please order General Chai. If necessary, I will go into battle in person." King Donghai felt a little nervous. If the opponent was Han Ruzi or Fang Daye, he would never dare to boast. Chai Yue should know the rules and be a good person.
Chai Yue was also shocked, and at the same time heaved a sigh of relief, "It's enough to have these daring people rushing to Quicksand City. The Iron Broken City needs the King of the East Sea, and His Highness is not allowed to fight."
The King of the East Sea gave a majestic hum, and then said to the stunned noble children: "At this moment when you have made meritorious achievements and established your career, you will work hard, and you will not bring shame to your father and brother."
The King of the East Sea left the crowd behind, turned around and went downstairs. Chai Yue ordered people to go to Xungui Camp to fetch armor and horses for these people. After this incident, the generals who did not obey the order had no objection to the ambush plan.
The King of the East Sea punished the sons and daughters of the nobles who wanted to retreat, and also took revenge on Zhang Yanghao and others who had betrayed him, and he was in a good mood.
Back at the General's Mansion, Lin Kunshan came over to ask to see him. As soon as he entered the room, he clasped his fists and said with a smile, "King Donghai's clever trick has not only taught the cowardly, but also stabilized the morale of the army. The reputation of King Donghai will be greatly improved."
"Hey, do I need this prestige?" The King of the East Sea doesn't need to hide his true ambitions in front of the Qi Watchers. "They don't care about the city and the pool in Great Chu, they just want to survive, I care."
Lin Kunshan said with a smile: "The Great Chu is constantly troubled by internal and external troubles, and it needs the descendants of the clan like the King of the East Sea to turn the tide."
The East Sea King snorted.
Separated by more than 200 miles, another person also cares about the integrity of the Great Chu country.
Under the leadership of the master, Han Ruzi and others came to the Dongcheng warehouse, but they did not find Han Tong, the left general of the Northern Army. After inquiring, they found out that Han Tong received some equipment and food and ordered them to be sent to the Nancheng Gate. It didn't take long to go.
The crowd rushed to the South City Gate again, and after exiting this gate, it was the gate inside, where people and vehicles were blocked. No matter how much they shouted, the gate would not be opened.
Han Ruzi asked the master to board the tower to inform himself. After waiting for a while, the master came down and said with a confused look, "General Zuo asks General Zhenbei to go up alone."
The situation was different, Han Ruzi thought about it and said, "Okay, but I have to bring a follower anyway."
"This... it should be possible, I'll ask again." The chief clerk hurried up the tower, wondering in his heart, the two generals are descendants of the clan, why do they have no affection for each other?
Du Chuanyun tightened his belt and was about to go up to the tower with Juan Hou, but Han Ruzi stopped him, "You stay, Chen Tong, you follow me."
Meng E nodded. In front of outsiders, she never opened her mouth to avoid revealing her identity as a woman.
Du Chuanyun was both surprised and disappointed, not believing that this ordinary soldier's kung fu would be better than his own.
The master is back, please go upstairs with General Zhenbei and his entourage.
(One more update today.)