Xianyang, people are in panic at the moment, and various news are constantly coming. Some say that the bandit army is about to attack the south gate. Some say that the bandit army has surrounded the entire Xianyang and wiped out Chang'an Township. The only supply of sweet potatoes and golden birds in the city is cut off. The food in Xianyang is no longer enough for three days. Some people say that the Qin Dynasty has exhausted its energy and it is time to change the dynasty.
This is a fatal rumor.
All kinds of rumors immediately arose, all of which were aimed at Da Qin and Ying Zheng. Some even said that only the fall of Ying Zheng could save everything.
The rumor could not be airtight, and it soon reached the palace.
Ying Zheng was furious when he learned about the incident. He was about to summon Tie Ying, but he remembered that Tie Ying had been sent out and his life or death was uncertain.
"Come here, announce Prime Minister Feng and Lieutenant Commander immediately."
Soon, Feng Quji and Taiwei arrived in a hurry. In fact, they were also worried these days, waiting for His Majesty's summons at any time.
"Have you heard the rumors?"
The two nodded, and the rumors started to spread. As the Third Duke, they naturally knew about it.
"These people are rebelling. They are rebelling. The imperial court is trying every means to resist the rebels, but they are fanning the flames. Do they really want the rebels to break through Xianyang and burn, kill, and loot?"
Ying Zheng was so angry that he punched the table hard.
"Your Majesty, calm down! Don't be swayed by the rumors. This must be the work of the bandits. Don't be impulsive." Feng Quji quickly persuaded.
"Who is causing trouble? Can you find out?"
The two shook their heads. They also sent people to conduct a strict investigation and caught some unimportant people, but they could not find the leader.
Ying Zheng frowned, his face looked extremely ugly, and he suddenly called the waiter on standby.
"When anyone comes, please immediately pass on my instructions and order the lieutenant to investigate the rumors in the city. We must calm everyone's hearts. The perpetrators will be killed on the spot."
At critical moments, his violent temper is revealed.
"Your Majesty, no. The matter is serious and we must not be reckless. When the bandit army attacks, it is normal for people's hearts to be unstable. Let Lang Zhongling dispatch the security force. If it is carried out excessively, it will definitely arouse public outrage and the consequences will be more serious."
Feng Quji advised, "Besides..." he paused, "Rumors have spread so widely, but there is no news about the person who caused the incident. It can be said that it is hidden airtight. Could it be that it was just the actions of ordinary perpetrators?"
Ying Zheng frowned, these words reminded him.
Feng Quji is right to say that without the participation of powerful people, the perpetrators would not be able to do this. In other words, there are people like Jia Xiong among the powerful people who are traitorous.
"What do you think we should do?"
Without the dark eye of Heibingtai, he seemed to be blind. He didn't know anything and could only ask two people for their opinions.
The Taiwei said: "Your Majesty, in fact, rumors are always rumors, and they are not terrible. What is terrible is the army of thieves. If you want to defeat the rumors without attacking, the only way is to defeat the army of thieves."
Feng Quji nodded. To untie the bell, you must tie the bell. As long as the bandit army is defeated, all rumors can be broken.
But when he thought of the rebel army, his head grew bigger and bigger.
There are 150,000 thieves and only 50,000 city defense troops. It will be difficult to defeat them!
"How to break it?" Ying Zheng stared at the Taiwei closely.
The Taiwei is in charge of military affairs and has certain knowledge. He wanted to hear his opinion.
"Actually, it's very simple. News came from the army that the rebel troops advanced into Xianyang in two ways. One of them went through Chang'an Township to Ximen, with only 50,000 troops."
"Fifty thousand?" Ying Zheng asked with certainty.
"Exactly, the city defense army is also 50,000, but they are the elite of our Great Qin. The rebel army is just a mob. If we take advantage of the arrival of the 50,000 rebel army and give them a head-on attack, maybe we can defeat them."
"As long as it is broken, Xianyang will be safe."
This is a more risky approach, but under the current circumstances, it is also the best approach.
Feng Quji listened and objected strongly, "Your Majesty, no. Although there are only 50,000 bandit troops passing through Chang'an Township, a hundred thousand bandits have not yet found their whereabouts. To attack rashly is too risky and cannot be done."
"No, the scouts have discovered the whereabouts of the 100,000 thief army. They are appearing in the direction of the east gate. The east gate direction is very dangerous. It is very difficult for the 100,000 army to pass safely, and it will take a long time. If our army is defeated in the shortest time, It’s okay for the 50,000 bandits to return to the defense.”
Taiwei strongly suggested.
Ying Zheng's forehead wrinkled into several slits, his face drooped, and he said nothing.
This method is too risky, let alone whether the 50,000 city defense troops can defeat the rebel army in a short time. Even if they are defeated, there will be losses. In the case of lack of troops, even a small loss is a huge loss.
At this moment, Da Qin could not afford it.
Moreover, if the situation continues to stalemate and the 100,000 bandit army reaches the east gate, Xianyang will be in danger.
He was pacing back and forth, unable to make a decision, and his face became increasingly ugly.
Just as the atmosphere fell into silence, a guard suddenly came to report, "Your Majesty, urgent military situation. News came from the army that traces of the bandit army have been found. They are stationed two miles away from the east gate and may launch an attack at any time."
"What?" The captain was startled.
He had just received information not long ago that the 100,000 bandit army was still twenty miles away. Now it was two miles away?
This is impossible?
He couldn't believe it at all. The cliffs to the north, the difficult mountain roads, and the natural chasms between them meant that it would take a day for a mountaineer to reach Xianyang from twenty miles away, and he would also face the threat of death.
But it makes no sense that a hundred thousand bandits could reach two miles away in less than half a day.
This is not the main thing. The main thing is that with a hundred thousand bandit troops entrenched two miles away, the suggestion just now will not work.
What's even more frightening is that there is a threat of 100,000 troops from the east, and 50,000 rebel troops from the west gate are preparing to come. This creates a flanking attack from both sides. This is a dangerous situation.
There are only 50,000 city defense troops, and the north gate is a natural chasm, and not much thought was spent on its original construction. This means that the east gate's defenses are the weakest.
Not to mention that there are only more than 10,000 troops defending there now, even if all 50,000 troops are deployed to defend, they may not be able to defend 100,000 troops.
"Your Majesty, I kindly request that all city defense troops be mobilized immediately to defend the east gate to prevent the bandits from attacking the city."
This is the only way to defend now.
"What about Ximen?" Feng Quji asked back.
For a moment, the entire hall fell into a cramped situation.
This is a difficult decision. If all fifty thousand elites are gathered at the east gate, what about the west gate? There were 50,000 thieves gathering at that time, passing through Chang'an Township and reaching Ximen.
If all troops are withdrawn to defend the east gate, the west gate will be left undefended, which is also a dangerous situation.
"This." The Taiwei said dumbly, extremely anxious.
Feng Quji saw Ying Zheng's anxiety and immediately suggested: "Your Majesty, I would like to summon Li Zhao immediately to discuss this matter. After all, he is the commander-in-chief and must have unique methods in combat."
Li Zhao?
As soon as Li Zhao was mentioned, Ying Zheng's anger increased. His announcement had been sent out for a day, and Shang Xin had also left for a day. There was no one in sight, and even Shang Xin didn't reply.
"Li Zhao. has left the city to Chang'an Township and has not returned yet."
"What?" The Taiwei was shocked when he heard this, and became furious, "As a general, he does not think about the defense of the city, but only cares about his own family business. This is dereliction of duty. Your Majesty, I believe that I will issue an order to him immediately."
Feng Quji wanted to speak for Li Zhao, but he couldn't. He also knew that Li Zhao had left the city, but he didn't know that a day had passed and he still hadn't returned. This time, it was too late.
All we can say is: "Your Majesty, maybe Li Zhao has something up his sleeve."
"Have a plan? Huh! He's obviously scared. I'm afraid I don't know where to escape at this moment." The Taiwei was angry. If Li Zhao was here, he would definitely kill him.
Just as the two were arguing, a hurried voice suddenly came from outside.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, the old slave is back, back."
It was Shang Xin who hurried back from Chang'an Township.
Ying Zheng listened with no expression on his face and asked: "Why haven't you returned until now? Where is Li Zhaoren?" He did not see Li Zhao.
Shang Xin expected His Majesty to blame him so much, so he knelt down as soon as he arrived and kowtowed quickly, "Damn it, old slave, for not bringing Li Zhao back immediately."
"You deserve to die!" Before Shang Xin could finish his words, the Taiwei said unexpectedly.
Shang Xin was not affected and continued: "But the old slave has his own reasons."
"What's the reason?" Ying Zheng wanted to hear what excuse Shang Xin could make for himself.
"Old slave, old slave" Shang Xin tried his best to organize his words, and his expression became excited for a moment, "The reason why we were delayed for one day is that I went to defend the enemy."
"To defend against the enemy?" Hearing this, the Taiwei's nose was heavy and he made a sound of 'chi', which was a sign of contempt, "How can a mere eunuch defend against the enemy? It will make people laugh."
At this moment, he really blamed Shang Xin for not being able to bring Li Zhao back, so the situation was relatively passive.
Shang Xin glared at the Taiwei angrily, pointed at the Taiwei and said angrily: "You, you, don't underestimate me. I am not afraid of fifty thousand bandits."
He was right. At that time, he was facing 50,000 people and was attacked, but it was just a bit embarrassing.
"What did you say?" These words caused a huge reaction from Ying Zheng. It was not the 'not afraid' that Shang Xin said, but the 50,000-strong army. "Could it be that 50,000 thieves have already arrived in Chang'an Township?"
This is really the case, Xianyang is in danger!
Shang Xin faced an army of 50,000 thieves, which meant that the thieves had arrived, which meant that they would reach Xianyang in less than half an hour.
By then, the two armies will completely form a pincer attack. The 50,000 city defense troops will be distracted and helpless, and the only outcome will be the city's destruction.
"What should we do?" The Taiwei heard what Ying Zheng meant, his legs trembled, and he had no idea anymore.
"Your Majesty, the only solution for now is to fight to the death, there is no other way." Feng Quji was relatively calm, but he looked extremely decadent.
The two armies have formed a pincer attack, and they are unable to recover. He does not think that the 50,000-strong city defense army can defend Xianyang.
Ying Zheng took a deep breath. He seemed to have aged twenty years suddenly, and even more aged. He made a difficult decision: "Forget it!"
He was speechless.
Shang Xin saw everyone's determination, smiled to himself, and said quickly: "Your Majesty, there is no need to fight to the death, just concentrate on guarding the east gate!" When he returned to the palace, he also heard the news that a hundred thousand bandit troops had appeared in the direction of the east gate.
Ying Zheng sighed, but did not blame Shang Xin for his ignorance. He sighed and said, "It's useless. If you guard the east gate, the west gate will be broken."
Shang Xin was stunned and panicked, secretly thinking that if he didn't tell the situation in Chang'an Township, His Majesty really didn't know what decision he would make, so he quickly said: "Your Majesty, the west gate cannot be broken, because the 50,000 bandits passing through Chang'an Township have been destroyed. It will be destroyed, no one will be left alive, and it will be impossible to break through the west gate again.”
"What?"
This voice is not the voice of one person, but three people.
The three people's eyes fell on Shang Xin at the same time, staring at him.
"What did you just say?" The captain's voice was urgent, as if he didn't hear what he just said.
Shang Xin straightened his face and said loudly: "The 50,000 bandit army has been completely wiped out by General Li in Chang'an Township. Not a single one is left."
"Total annihilation?" Feng Quji's expression was strange and extremely shocked, and Ying Zheng's reaction was not much better.
Fifty thousand troops were completely destroyed, which was a bit shocking!
"Exactly, the old slave also participated in this matter and saw with his own eyes that all the bandit troops were destroyed."
At this moment, Shang Xin really wanted to tell the story of the scene one by one, but he was still suppressed. He had not forgotten his promise to Li Zhao.
"How to destroy it?" Feng Quji asked quickly.
He was eager to know the answer. As far as he knew, Li Zhao did not lead any soldiers from the city. It was absolutely impossible for the people of Chang'an Township to destroy 50,000 bandit troops. There were many farmers in Chang'an Township, and they were growing crops. He is good at land, but not good at fighting.
Even if they are good at fighting, there are only so many of them! I heard there were only a few hundred people. How could a few hundred people kill 50,000 people? This is a bit funny.
However, Shang Xinnai reported to His Majesty and would never dare to tell lies, otherwise he would be deceiving the emperor.
That's a bit appalling.
"This." This problem suddenly became difficult for Shang Xin. How to solve it? He couldn't say.
"This." Shang Xin repeated, his face turned red from holding back, and he couldn't say a word. He wanted to make nonsense, but he couldn't do so, otherwise he would be deceiving the emperor, but to tell the truth, he would be sorry for Li Zhao.
Dilemma.
"Okay, okay! Young man Li Zhao surprised me." Ying Zheng did not question Shang Xin, his face was full of excitement, and he also relieved Shang Xin.
Shang Xin immediately breathed a sigh of relief, and then said after taking a breath: "Yes, General Li is not derelict in his duties. He did not leave the city for selfish reasons, but to destroy the thieves. It is better to destroy the thieves without a single soldier. He is the most loyal person in our Qin Dynasty." , no one can match it.”
Shang Xin defended his Majesty's previous misunderstanding of Li Zhao.
Li Zhao's behavior for the country should not be questioned and should not be suspected of resisting the imperial decree.
He had to defend Li Zhao.
After Ying Zheng got excited, his expression slowly softened, and he sighed, "Yes! I really wronged him. I thought he was doing it for his own benefit, but he didn't know that he had already made arrangements. He would rather risk his life than lead a single soldier. It’s for Xianyang’s sake!”
"This righteousness should be regarded as the current king of Wu'an in Great Qin."
Wu'an Jun Baiqi, the myth of the Qin Dynasty, obviously, in Ying Zheng's eyes, Li Zhao has also become this myth.
The lieutenant lowered his head when he heard this. Just now he said that Li Zhao ignored the city defense and still wanted to give orders, but now he single-handedly wiped out the entire 50,000 bandit army.
He was so ashamed.
When Feng Quji saw the Taiwei's expression, he smiled strongly, but it was not the time to smile yet. The enemy was approaching at the east gate, and the crisis in Xianyang had not been resolved yet, so he still needed to go all out.
"Your Majesty, since the 50,000 bandit army has been destroyed, please immediately order the 50,000 army to guard the east gate and defend Xianyang."
"Of course!" Ying Zheng became more energetic, looked at Shang Xin, and asked, "Shang Xin, has Li Zhao returned to the city?"
"I must have returned!" Shang Xin left Chang'an Township first. He didn't know whether Li Zhao had returned to the city, but according to the current emergency situation, he must have returned.
"Okay, here is my oral order, ordering Li Zhao to immediately mobilize 50,000 troops for city defense, guard the east gate, and defend the enemy below the city."
"promise!"
Soon Shang Xin left.
(End of chapter)
