…
Dusk is falling and the wind is biting.
The day's battle had just ended, and the news that Wanda's entire army had been wiped out had spread to every corner of Tucheng.
For a time, the soldiers and civilians were panicked, and the security in the city collapsed instantly. Countless mobs took to the streets to vent their fear.
Those shops, in particular, suffered unreasonable disasters. At this moment, both adults and children were participating in this otherworldly version of the "zero-yuan shopping" carnival.
The merchants who were crying could only huddle in the corner, watching helplessly as the goods that sustained their livelihood were taken away by the irrational mob, but they did not dare to stop them in the slightest, because if they opened their mouths, they might lose more than just their belongings. .
Faced with the chaotic situation in the city, Stain was not in the mood to stop it. Instead, he discussed countermeasures with several generals in the army at his residence with sad faces.
"What should we do? We can't get back the water supply, Tucheng can't be guarded at all, and we can't hold on until the general's troops arrive. What should we do?
You are all generals in the city, come up with an idea quickly. "
The four generals in the mansion looked at each other, but what could they do?
In fact, when they learned about the Baiqi army's early use of troops against Kushan, they proposed to keep a close eye on the nearby oasis to prevent the water source from being cut off.
However, Sitain refused to adopt it, because he had fallen into the enemy's plan and was defeated one by one.
In fact, the generals present all understood that Stayin's operation was because he was afraid that there would be insufficient troops in the city, which would give the oppressed people a chance to resist.
At present, the most capable Wanda was killed on the battlefield, and all the elite cavalry were lost. In addition, the water source was cut off, and the Han army was besieged but could not attack. Tucheng had become an isolated city.
"Perhaps we should order people to break out of the encirclement, ask for help from nearby tribes, and ask them to harass the Han army. This can also reduce the current pressure on Tucheng."
"But the most important problem right now is the lack of water. With the amount of people and horses in the city drinking water right now, it will take at most two or three days to run out of water.
By then there is no need for Bai Qi to attack, we will already be in chaos! "A middle-aged general with a thick beard sitting on the left said with a worried tone.
Si Tayin thought for a while and said: "Then we will announce to the whole city according to the order of the city lord that from now on, all water sources in all households will be used for public use.
Civilians can only drink a bowl of water at most every day, leaving the rest for the army. This can last for a while, right? "
Xu Butuo: "City Lord, I'm afraid this will arouse people's anger. How can a bowl of water be enough?"
Stain sneered: "What do those untouchables care about? The overall situation is more important now. They should give everything they have, including their lives, for this war in the Kushan Empire."
Xu Butuo narrowed his eyes and thought to himself, I'm afraid you've got a funny brain. Normally, your city lord and his family are the most domineering, and they do a lot of things to continuously exploit the lake. The people in the city have long been extremely resentful towards you. Now, Drinking water must be controlled even more. I am afraid that this group of untouchables will rebel on the day the order is issued.
Thinking of this, Xu Butuo shuddered. If Si Tayin really wanted to do this, he might also be implicated, so he had better think of a way out to avoid suffering the consequences.
He immediately handed over his hand and said: "Lord City Lord, I am willing to lead an army to surprise the Han army camp at night. They just won a victory during the day, and they would not have expected that my army would choose this time to attack.
As long as our army breaks into the enemy camp and then sets it on fire, the Han army will undoubtedly be defeated. Please accept your permission, Lord City Lord! "
Sitayin's eyes lit up when he heard this: "General Xu Butuo's plan is very clever. How sure is it?"
Xu Butuo: "If I am not completely sure, how can I dare to offer advice to the Lord of the City? After defeating the enemy, the first credit should be given to the Lord of the City!"
"Hehe, hehe, well, with a general as wise and brave as General Xu Butuo, I can really sit back and relax!"
Seeing that Sita Yin had adopted his own strategy, Xu Butuo showed an imperceptible smile, bowed and said, "Without further delay, I'll go down and prepare."
Sitain nodded: "Okay, I, the city lord, are here, waiting for General Xu Butuo to return victorious!"
"Lord City Lord, I will take my leave first."
After Xu Butuo left, Si Tayin suddenly felt that his depressed mood had improved a lot, and he continued to talk with the other generals.
Just when everyone was in high spirits and about to get some wine and drink, someone came to report from outside the door: "Report to the lord of the city, the envoy of the Han army is outside the city asking to see you."
Si Tayin frowned: "Han envoys? What are they doing here?"
Then he waved his hand and asked, "How many people are here?"
"There are three people outside the city. The leader is a young general who calls himself Geng Gong."
After receiving the answer, Stain didn't even think about it: "Let them come in. I want to see what they want to do with me."
Three quarters of an hour later, Geng Gong and two soldiers from the Western Regions arrived at the city lord's mansion.
Before Geng Gong could salute, he heard that Sita Yin threw the wine glass heavily on the table, assumed the posture of a city lord, tilted his head and asked: "Tell me, what do you want to see me for?"
The soldiers from the Western Regions on the side translated Sitain's words to Geng Gong truthfully.
Hearing this, Geng Gong patted the solid armor on his body and said proudly to Sitain: "According to the order of Governor Bai of the Western Region Protectorate, I came here to persuade you to surrender. Now the situation is clear and the victory or defeat has been decided.
Why don't you see the situation clearly and surrender to me as soon as possible? Do we have to wait for the day when the city is destroyed and the whole city is in mourning? "
Si Tayin was furious when he heard this: "You want me to surrender? You invaders dare to invade our Kushan territory and show off your power in my territory?
Go and ask, are there any people in our Kushan army and people who are greedy for life and afraid of death? I advise your general Bai to withdraw from our country’s borders as soon as possible.
Otherwise, when the general arrives, he will teach you to die without a burial place! "
Geng Gong chuckled softly: "I, the Han Dynasty, raised troops to attack Guishuang, but it was because of you, Guishang, that you insisted on going your own way. You disobeyed the orders of the Western Region Protectorate and launched your troops to plunder our vassal states.
This move is in compliance with the request of the countries in the Western Region to punish you. Instead of repenting, you dare to ignore my new order,
It's hard for the people to be angry if we don't send troops. It's just that my general is benevolent and doesn't want to lose lives, so he asked me to come to persuade you to see the situation clearly.
I didn’t expect you to be so ignorant. It’s really a double crime. It seems like you and I don’t need to talk anymore.
Just wash your neck here and wait. When the city is destroyed, you and the Kushan people in the city will pay a heavy price for your arrogance today! "
The three generals beside him were filled with fear when he said this. After all, Bai Qi Rentu's order resounded throughout the world, and even a three-year-old child could stop crying when hearing his name.
Si Tayin's Adam's apple was rolling up and down nervously, but he still suppressed his fear and said harsh words: "Then let Bai Qi try it!
I, Guishuang, am not a small country in the Western Regions. I have millions of men in armor. I can kill your little Bai Qi with just a snap of my fingers! "
"Humph, in that case, let's say goodbye!"
Geng Gong casually cupped his hands, glanced at Stein with contempt, and then left without looking back.
As soon as he left, a military general beside him hurriedly said: "Lord City Lord, why don't you take this arrogant and rude general as a hostage?"
Only then did Sitayin react, but when he saw Geng Gong had gone far away, he forced himself to calm down and said: "The two armies are fighting. If Bu Zhan comes, let him go. When General Xu Butuo succeeds in his night attack, I will see that it is clear." Will Qi and the others still be so arrogant?"
