Chapter 37 Destiny
Later that day, Zhou Chizheng went to talk to Luo Yonghao again.
Humans are emotional animals.
It is said that friendship develops after two people spend three hundred hours together. Regardless of whether this is scientific or not, at this moment, Luo Yonghao and Zhou Zhizheng, although they are in two seemingly incompatible camps, have interacted with each other many times, and they have indeed developed a subtle feeling between each other. There was no talk of mutual sympathy, but there was no doubt that they were relatively harmonious, and there were not too many scruples in the conversation. Of course, Zhou Zhizheng's sixth-grade official position as a general judge is also one of the reasons: speaking does not need to be as precise as the officials do.
After just a few steps, Zhou Chizheng got straight to the point: "Brother Wenguang, I have a small matter that I need to ask you to help me with. On the day when your army marches eastward to Henan, my brother and Mr. Xiao will be able to give an explanation to Mr. Fanzun." . Needless to say, the vassal, the emperor, and the Dusi Mansion also have to give an explanation to the Holy Emperor and the imperial court. I don’t think your army will take those heads outside the auxiliary barracks on the river beach outside the city. Can you..."
Luo Yonghao smiled slightly: "Brother Xingduan, I also have this intention. If not, people would have buried him long ago."
Zhou Chizheng was startled, then he raised his hands and said: "Brother Wenguang is a great talent! Alas, Shenmu has really wronged Brother Wenguang these years! Zhou is speechless and has no face to respond! Ashamed, ashamed! "
Luo Yonghao waved his hand: "It's all in the past, let's not mention it. Brother Wenguang was ridiculously complimentary. To be honest, it was only later that Luo thought that the court needed to inspect the head level. Luo also had something to ask me. , I need Brother Wenguang to mediate."
Zhou Chizheng was shocked and said hurriedly: "Brother Wenguang, you are welcome. As long as Zhou is within his ability, it goes without saying."
Luo Yonghao said: "Ansai County Magistrate Chang Anding (Anding is Chang Wenping's word) is an old acquaintance. When our army arrived, Anding happened not to be in the county, but unexpectedly he met him in Yan'an Prefecture. After our army left, this prefecture Of course, a few adults have the final say, and it is not Luo's turn to make any comments. However, Ansai is a small county, can Brother Anding be named? Luo asked for someone to "pay for his merits" on his behalf. Every opportunity is there to protect the whole family." As he spoke, he solemnly handed over his hand.
Zhou Chizheng immediately felt relieved when he heard this, thinking: "'Not by chance'? 'Meet by chance'? Bah! You guys obviously colluded with each other beforehand! Well, I also colluded with you, even more than Chang Anding." Mr. Xiao of Yulin Prefecture also colluded with you earlier. Well, now the entire three departments of Shaanxi Province, including the Chief Envoy, the Inspector General, and the Commander-in-Chief, are all fucking colluding with you... Do you still care? Do you want to collude with another county magistrate? As long as you don't entrust your unlucky child to me, it's a hot plaster! Isn't it just a favor that ruins the county? "
This is not simple yet.
In order to reassure Luo Yonghao, he accepted the gift calmly. After taking a breath, he handed over his hand and replied: "Brother Wenguang, don't worry! It's a small matter, I'll accept it right now."
Luo Yonghao said thanks in his mouth: "Luo thanked Brother Xingduan for An Ding. There are eight out of thirty heads at the moment. If two Yans are captured in the future, there will still be one or two hundred levels..."
Zhou Chizheng was overjoyed: "I would like to thank Brother Wenguang for all the adults in this province!" Then he picked up a chess piece and pondered for a long time before placing it down.
Luo Yonghao was startled. Zhou Chizheng’s white seed was actually placed in the “eye” formed by his three sunspots! It seems that the threat of directly inserting the black piece into the heart is very great, but it only has one "qi". If it is left alone, the consequences will be endless. However, you only need to place a black stone and take it away, and the situation of the chess game is suddenly reversed.
In doubt, Zhou Chizheng lowered his voice and added, "There is one more thing. The adults just talked about Magistrate Yu, and what they meant was... if Magistrate Yu insists on confronting the court in the future, It might be a bit tricky..."
Luo Yonghao understood.
He dropped a piece casually, lifted up the lone white piece and put it outside, and said calmly and calmly: "The adults may have been overly worried. Luo doesn't think Mr. Yu will have this opportunity!"
"It's clear! It's clear! Thank you, Brother Wenguang!" After speaking, Zhou Chizheng stood up and said goodbye: "Brother Wenguang is a great talent, I admit defeat."
Luo Yonghao replied solemnly: "Brother Xingduan is the best among men. Luo firmly believes that this game is a draw. Harmony is precious, harmony brings wealth and happiness. Life is like chess, you have to kill each other to win or lose. Short and long, I spent all my energy and energy but fell into the inferior category. But why bother?"
Zhou Zhizheng looked serious: "'Harmony is the most precious', Brother Wenguang said it right! Zhou has learned the lesson. This will be the case for us from now on!"
The two of them said goodbye tacitly.
At the same time, on the bank of Yanshui River.
Yu Shengliang saw Li Shaobing, who had escaped alone. Under the light of the torch, he glared with red eyes and scolded the men who were fastening chains to the boats to carry firewood. The leader led the Ban Zao officials to inspect the garrison and supplies one by one. In the temporary camp on the bank of the Yellow River, the soldiers who had been whipped for many days and were taught to be loyal to the country were all sleeping soundly. Some of them even dreamed By the time they had made great achievements, they had risen to prominence... Unfortunately, they had no idea that their fate, even life and death, had been decided by two people drinking tea and playing chess in the elegant study room of the Yan'an prefecture's yamen, chatting and laughing casually!
Guo Qinglin had already left the auxiliary barracks and moved back to Fucheng to sleep happily. He was very happy and received new orders: there was no need to continue building rafts.
In order to detect the direction of the upcoming attack, Yu Shengliang had already sent out more than a dozen cavalry to detect the thief. This was the greatest ability that the small Yanchang County could use to detect the thief after the loss of the cavalry.
The hard work paid off. After one day's notice, we received a report from the scouts along the river: they found a large fleet of thieves, with about a hundred boats and fifty or sixty rafts. Along with this, there were more than a hundred enemy cavalry on the north bank and twenty or thirty cavalry on the south bank, presumably to protect the fleet from harassment attacks from both sides. At present, it is about thirty miles away from the county seat. The enemy troops are landing and camping on the beach. It is expected that they will arrive at Yanchang at noon tomorrow. Because of the threat of enemy reconnaissance cavalry, we were unable to get closer for observation.
By the time you arrived, the scouts from other directions returned to the city one after another, but no trace of the thief was found. Yu Shengliang was very happy. It seemed that what he had expected was correct. The thieves just wanted to march through Yanshui and launch an attack. Liao Xingxiang was also very happy. He stretched out his hands and raised both thumbs in a flattering manner: "My lord, I have seen thousands of miles away. How could these thieves think that you have laid a dragnet for them all this time! I congratulate you on my humble duty! Hahaha."
Yu Shengliang proudly stroked his gray beard under his chin, pretending to be humble and said: "Although I expected the behavior of the thief, we must not underestimate the enemy. Chu Cai (Liao Xingxiang's word), you have worked hard too. Wait until we are defeated. I will give you credit for these traitors!"
"Enemy attack! Enemy attack!"
"Dang Dang Dang"...
Just after noon the next day, a series of shouts and warning gongs rang out from the head of Yanchang County.
Yu Shengliang and Liao Xingxiang, who were sitting at the southwest corner of the city wall, stood up and put up a pergola and looked west. Seven or eight miles upstream from Yanshui River, a fleet of boats and rafts appeared in sight.
Yu Shengliang waved his hand decisively: "Get ready for war!"
Behind him, Li Shaobing, whose eyes were filled with hatred, clasped his fists and said: "I have the order!" He held the handle of the knife and turned around confidently to get off the city wall - the thief was bound to drive at full speed, intending to rush through the fire damage area at the top of the city as quickly as possible. . When the thieves' fleet approaches, dozens of small boats loaded with flammable materials will form a horizontal array on the Yanshui River. Each boat is connected with an iron chain, blocking the thieves' path. After the rocket is ignited, the pirate ship sprinting down the river at full speed cannot slow down at all, and will throw itself into the fire net one after another! Even if the last ones can stop by chance, they will be crowded in the river and unable to move. Seeing the raging fire rising into the sky in front of you, are you afraid that you will be so scared that you abandon the boat and go ashore to run for your life? The army was defeated like a mountain. As long as you wait for a while, the front is burned and the back is trampled, you will personally lead the team to cover up and kill the fleeing enemy. You must vent your anger fiercely, Yixue is ashamed of escaping alone!
The thieves coming down the river came very quickly. In the sight of everyone at the top of the city, in less than half an hour, the thieves' fleet was two or three miles away. Yu Shengliang, who was wearing leather armor, ordered again: "Meet the enemy!"
A red lantern was raised high on the temporary wooden platform. At the same time, the messenger leaned half of the body outside the wall and waved the red pennant to the defenders in the river.
A trumpet sound came from the defenders below, indicating that they had received the order and were ready to fight. The soldiers and boatmen on the fire ship have practiced countless times, and skillfully used long poles to prop up each ship. After entering the predetermined position, they pulled the iron chains on the bow and stern of the ship next to them, and nailed them to their own ship with long nails, the closest one. The two boats on the north and south banks were firmly fixed on the shore. In less than a stick of incense, in the blind spot of the thieves' vision, Yanshui bypassed the river behind the southwest corner of the city wall, and two interception lines were suddenly pulled up! The soldiers took off the waterproof tarpaulin covering the firewood and ran back to the shore in a jumping manner. A long row of braziers have been lit on the top of the city and on the bank. There are two or three archers standing next to each brazier. The arrows have been placed on the bowstrings. As soon as the drums on the top of the city sound, the thieves will plunge into the blazing fire. Sea of fire!
Surprisingly, the thieves' fleet slowed down the closer they got to the city. Many ships began to approach the shore. Looking from a distance, many thieves as small as insects and ants actually came ashore and began to be busy. I can't see exactly what they are busy with, but there are vaguely people digging and driving stakes into the ground. It looks like... they are trying to build a camp?
Everyone in the city was puzzled: They had to camp for the night so early? This is a small and run-down county town! Are the thieves so unsure of their own attack power? Eh, that's not right either - if it's a camp, why are there still some boats continuing to come over? Parallel to this were the cavalry on the north and south banks, obviously still protecting the flanks.
What's even more puzzling is that the small fleet that continued to sail actually stopped a stone's throw away from the city. Yu Shengliang and others finally saw clearly: there were seventeen or eight small boats and more than twenty rafts in front of them, tightly packed together, and there were three or five small boats behind them. I saw the thieves on the raft in front taking off the tarpaulin covering it, revealing a full load of firewood! Everyone watched in amazement as the thieves jumped onto the boats moored behind one by one, and allowed the crowded rafts to drift slowly downwards, gradually accelerating, driven by the current of the river.
Rockets shot up from the raft behind, instantly igniting the drifting fleet in front. Looking at the fire that spread quickly, the thieves actually sprinkled a lot of pine and gunpowder into the firewood! In an instant, a large ball of flames that crowded the river gradually approached, and even the people on the city top seemed to feel the scorching heat rushing towards their faces.
Fight fire with fire.
Days of carefully prepared traps were in vain!
Even with the blessing of many modern high-tech means, humans still do not have the ability to quickly put out large-scale fires - let alone the Ming Dynasty. In this era, fire attacks in war, as long as the conditions are right, can achieve decisive results like tactical nuclear weapons.
According to Yu Shengliang's original plan, behind the corner of Yanshui was a blind spot for the attacking thieves. He would act as the eyes and ears of the ambush on top of the city, and the officers and soldiers only had to set up a net to wait. But similarly, the ambush troops could not see the attacking thieves - since last night, they had been worried that the cavalry on the south bank of the thieves would suddenly come forward to conduct reconnaissance, causing their own arrangements to fail. Just now I was congratulating myself on the thief's entrustment, but I never expected that the thief seemed to have clairvoyance and was prepared, and he also used fire attacks! Such complex military information has no real-time communication means to inform the defenders who are also in the blind spot!
Of course, even if the defenders discover all this in time, the coming outcome will not change in any way: facing the fire ships flowing down the river, the only way is to get out of the way of the river, push them away with long poles, and let them drift. They will burn up when there is no one around. (More than two hundred years later, the British fleet anchored outside the Pearl River Estuary during the First Opium War lowered their boats and used this method to deal with the fire attack of the defenders down the river. boat raft). But Yu Shengliang and Li Shaobing had nothing to do at this moment - the fire attack ships blocking the river have been firmly nailed together with iron nails and chains, and there is no way to separate them in a short time!
A hundred and fifty steps away, Lie Yan was approaching in the blink of an eye. Several boats and rafts were pushed by the current to the corner of the city wall, crowded together and stopped. The firewood was also mixed with cow and horse dung, and the billowing black smoke soared up along the city wall. In the blink of an eye, it not only completely obscured the sight of the defenders on the wall, but also choked people and made it difficult to breathe. Those who turned the corner went straight towards the first row of barrage boats. The archers on the shore were stunned to find that the fire had already spread in the fleet, and there was no need to shoot any more rockets!
In order to prevent the pirate ships from passing by at full speed, the distance between the two barrage fleets was only five or six feet wide. The first line of defense bent deeply downstream under the impact of the fire ship. Although the hulls were not in contact, the high temperature generated by the flying flames made the air above thin. Under atmospheric pressure, the surrounding cold air quickly rushed in to replenish the space. , the burning firewood was sent into the mid-air by the strong airflow, and slowly fell while burning.
Finally, a spark fell on a small boat in the second row.
After a while, a faint wisp of smoke emerged from the firewood pile in the boat.
After a while, the green smoke disappeared, and a small group of red flames began to jump and expand...
Soon, the entire ship began to burn, and the red and black tongues of flames licked the neighboring ships on both sides...
Yu Shengliang, Liao Xingxiang and the defenders had left the southwest corner where the choking was overwhelming, and ran to the south wall to look at the fire scene. On the south bank of Yanshui, twenty or thirty enemy cavalry had already rode around the bend of the river. When they saw the barrage fleet starting to burn, they all cheered, waving their weapons towards the city and making various threatening movements, showing off their power. , yelled and turned around and galloped back. The few boats still parked in Yanshui did not leave immediately. When the fire boat turned the corner, they saw huge columns of smoke rising in the air, facing the horse teams roaring back from the south bank, and cheers broke out on the boats.
The boat raised its anchor and sailed upstream, returning to the camp that had been set up two or three miles away. The thieves were all outside the camp. Looking here, even though they were so far apart, the defenders who no longer had any fighting spirit seemed to be Their cries were heard.
The cavalry of more than a hundred people on the north bank galloped westward, which is where the thieves came from, probably returning to camp.
The sun hangs in the sky about a foot high above the mountains in the west.
The fire on the Yanshui River has been extinguished, but the wreckage of several stranded ships on both sides of the bank is still emitting black smoke. More wreckage has been carried into the Yellow River by the current.
Li Shaobing sat slumped on the shore. The situation was over, and most of the hundreds of soldiers who had been training for many days had fled. He knew that they had all fled to the north in the direction of Yanchuan, mixed in with the common people who were supporting the elderly and the young. But he can't run, his fate is firmly tied to the adults, and this will be the end of his life. Li Shaobing got up and walked toward the city silently and resolutely.
There is a small patch of reeds downstream of Yanshui a few miles east. A figure leading the horse flashed in. The horse neighed a few times uneasily, snorted, and was led obediently to the small boat hidden in the reeds. The boat rowed to the south bank. Zhao Ergou abandoned the boat, knelt down on the bank, kowtowed in the direction of the county seat, and murmured: "Sir, you treat the villain well. But the villain has a military life and cannot serve him. It's your turn." He got on his horse and galloped towards Nanshe (pronounced "She") Lichuan.
The afterglow of the setting sun coated the extended city wall with blood-like red, as if foreshadowing the impending disaster.
